Chapter 10 Revealed
"Director Cortex!" as his secretary ran in.
"What is it Sarah? What's the hurry?"
"The lab....failed Project past. Our scientists have found something in the data. They didn't pull two people out of the past. They actually pulled on extra unaccounted one....it escaped however leaving the halls towards the way out...well everyone in a stable, but paralyzed state of fear." Sarah slid the report file to Martin.
"We thought it was an after-effect for activating the device, but it turns out it was an act of something." Sarah said.
The Director looked up, "Is this possible? Some mystical beast? Magic?"
Sarah shrugged, "We need to as those two to figure out what it might be with the description with what we have....from out security footage, it seems to be some monkey."
"Do we have enough evidence to tell them about this?" Cortex asked uncertainly.
Sarah thought about it, "We should have some clear resolution by the end of Monday, no need to tell them when they come by today."
Both of them didn't know how crucial that small detail it could have been...
Ooo
"W-will?" Daniela asked uncertainly, which Alyss answered. "That beast, Adam you call it, is not any normal creature. It's a man killing animal, it has killed grown men...military commander and trained soldiers."
Daniela looked at her with interest and fear with disbelief, "No way, he's a soft friendly monkey.."
Alyss weakly raised her hand, "Tell me...why Will can't move away from his position..right now."
Daniela opened her mouth and then closed it.
"Daniela, that thing, freezes their prey and then kills them. I don't know how this one got here but as long as it's around it will pose a threat to everyone." Alyss said forcing herself to get up.
"Adam...let him go." Daniela chided. "Please?" What seemed like a miracle, the Kalkara stopped its gaze and Will collapsed with exhaustion. However, things were always too good to be true, the Kalkara jumped claws extended ready to strike Daniela and Alyss. Which Will regained some mental control, and threw his mock knife into rough matted hair with precision, since it was reinforced with modern steel, it managed to puncture through more than any normal weapon the best of the best could have wield. It gave out a blood-curling screech before running away into the foggy park.
Daniela sank to her knees, "N-no...why...."
Will activated his concealed bow and propped himself up, "I can't believe any of this, get Alyss back to the mansion."
"No, you are not going after the Kalkara." Alyss objected.
Will looked right into her eyes, "Look, if that things still roams around, there will be was you call a mass murder around this place. This place is heavily populated. Even with the reinforced knife I had barely hit him, it was the surprise."
Daniela nodded her head wiping her tears, "Will, this is my fault. Now both of you are in a weak state, don't go. Not now...and I demand an explanation after this."
Will fought mentally as he weighed his options, That's right...I'm supposed to protect them... what was I thinking? Abandoning them in the night on their way back alone...
"Alright, let's go. First of all, Daniela. Pass me your cell phone." Will sighed.
Daniela rummaged through her bag and then took out the phone, as she passed it she whispered, "You better explain everything...including where that bow came out of nowhere."
Will looked at her, "I won't make that promise." Then walked away from earshot and making sure they could hear him, he called.
Ooo
"...I'm sorry Will. Our teams detected this in the data loaded. But we weren't sure if there was a third party involved...now you confirmed it." Sarah said at the other end of the line.
Will pointed out, "Did you pick up the cell phone? We had our hands full over here....that beast, ape..whatever, is a dangerous one. Shouldn't be a problem considering from what I have seen since me and Alyss have arrived here, it shouldn't be that hard to kill it....the biggest one is how to find it."
Sarah muttered something on the other end, "Alright Will, we'll keep you posted at the moment when we see that animal. Any pointers?"
"Don't look into the eyes, ever." And then hanged up.
Will leaned on the nearest tree, "I thought we killed the last two...there must've been a third one uncounted...faraway."
"Finished?" Daniela asked standing side him.
Will turned to look at her, "Yes, done. Let's go."
It was for the most part a silent way back that is until they saw a group of slums smoking heavily in an alley noticing Daniela and Alyss.
"Hey there sweets, how's your night been?" one of them slurred.
Daniela managed to laugh, they completely ignored Will's presence amazing...if I wasn't careful, I would probably forget he was there too...wait what am I thinking? There is a threatening group here...She sniffed slightly then scrunching her nose up, obviously drunk!
"Now, just leave us alone alright? We are trying to get home." Alyss said looking at them through the pain and mustering any air of authority she had left.
There was one smoking two sticks at once, he huffs "Really now? We'll get you two home..safe and sound."
Will grew tired of this and stepped out of the shadows, "Look boys, get lost. I am in no mood for low-scums like you... really my final offer."
They took a look at him, then the massive bow in his hand perilously having a wooden arrow nocked. Without any hard consideration, they all grumbled at the sight.
"Let's go, these chicks aren't worth it."
They all lumbered off, some giving second glances backwards.
Daniela remarked, "I didn't recall you bringing your arrows either."
Will ignored her and continue walking, he then replies, "If your dad asks about anything when we get back, ignore him. Alyss, try to act normal as you can until you reach a secluded room. I'll deal with the questions."
Not long, they reached the gate. As the approached the massive door, it opened revealing the CEO of the Loviez company.
"Where were you three been? You are past 24minutes!" he exclaims.
Alyss and Daniela strode past him and she led Alyss to her quarters.
He turned, "Will...wh-"
"Hey, checked the park it's not a boyfriend. It was a cat she really liked, it died recently..." Will lied while keeping track of what he was saying. Trying to catch Albert's attention.
Mr. Loviez immediately fell for it, "Oh-I suppose....wait why didn't she just bring it home? We could have accommodated with it easily."
"She wanted to keep the same staff, some of them have some serious .....what you call allergic reaction?" Will continued, hoping there were people actually allergic to cats in this mansion.
Albert started to nod, "She is really a caring person...I've always thought she's a cold one...indifferent from others at school and an outcast. I'm glad she has someone like you and Alyss."
Will looked at the door, "Right, trust her more will you?"
"I shall."
Will nodded content with it, "I'll retire for the night. Been an..emotional night."
Ooo
"That was Will calling about the creature. It's real and bad." Sarah said.
The director shook his head slowly, "And when I thought retrieving his phone was just a big problem."
"Whatever it is, he says nearly nothing can kill it but one thing." Sarah continued. "Hardly retrieving a phone is a problem...mind you."
The director sat on the arm of the chair, "What would that be?"
"What is what?" Sarah looked at the Director.
"I meant, the only thing that can kill it."
"He won't tell us. He says if he did, we'd rip up the streets with the thing to kill it." Sarah said with a smile.
The director looked at her surprised, "What did he call it?"
"Kalala? Karaka?" Sarah repeated trying to recall her memory.
"Kalkaras... right. I read that in the old books In their past time. They killed two. But we must have pulled one that was still alive but not the two was killed." The director recited.
Sarah puts her face into her hands, "Who knew doing something to the past can bring these problems?"
Martin Cortex puts his arms up in exasperation, "How were we supposed to account for these? We originally thought there were 2 people that got ported here, not some third creature."
"I suppose I should call a search team on this creature...the way he described it made it very deadly...something that would come out of a fairy tale." Sarah laughed.
"They are from a kingdom with an actual king..and friends no doubt." Pointing out the fact wiping his hands on a small handkerchief and stuffing it back on his chest pocket.
All Sarah could do what nod then pulled up another phone and dialed, "This is Agent 2, requesting all available teams out there to keep an eye out for..."
Ooo
"How is she looking?" Will asked at the door of Daniela's room.
Daniela looked up, "She's really tired, otherwise it's fine. It's as if her energy was drained from her."
Will nodded, "It must have been a pre-adult Kalkara...but it's almost adult however... It will be a large problem if it gets to that stage. Then again, never seen that kind of power radiating from it. Could it be a girl instead?"
"A girl? But..but.." Daniela stutters.
Will casted a look towards her, "Right, but you assumed it was a boy?"
Unconciously, she began twirling her hair uneasily, "W-ell..."
Daniela came out of her room and closed the door gently, "I'll let her sleep here for now...I'll tell the maids not to disturb this room at all...and that I'll be sleeping in another room..."
Suddenly she directed a question at Will, "Shouldn't you get some rest?"
Will shook his head, "No, I admit it was tiring. But like I said, it wasn't at its full power yet. So I'm not that tired yet." With a side mutter, "Halt's training was worse..."
"Didn't quite get that."
Will slightly blushed, "Oh..it was nothing."
"I see, explain then. Anyone but you two, made that thing go crazy like that. Why is that?" She asked.
Will pondered about that question, "That's a pretty good question, what makes you ask that..."
"Well, I have introduced him...her to other people and they didn't seem to be having much problems." She said slowly.
Could it be possible it sense we're from the previous world? Animals are known for its sensitivity..that Kalkara must of known we were enemies to them. Will thoughtfully replayed the scene in his mind.
"Possibly it saw us as an enemy." Will suggested.
She looked skeptically at him, "Really."
Will shrugged.
They reached the top floor of the mansion, "Are you sure you aren't tired?" She asked again which Will nodded. Looking both ways, she opened one of the windows, "Here, this one is faulty. This window gives us an easy access to the roof."
Will looked at her as she athletically moved her way out and up onto the roof. He heard a faint call, "Come on before someone notices."
Will easily climbed up onto the roof, he looked up as the sky was filled with stars and the moon was shining bright. They could hear the low burr of the city and the lights from the city towers.
"Wow..." Will said breath-taken.
"I always come up here when I can, only where I can think." Daniela said half to herself.
Both of them sat in the awkward silence, Will began wondering what was the best action to take. Of all people, I have the biggest bet she suspects us well enough that we aren't normal. She has seen too much, and I already have no doubt her suspicions have been killing her since we ever came. The mall was a dead gave away along with my unique skills...everyone is shallow in observing but she's really cleaned us through on this, unfortunately, Alyss and myself in the heat of the moment spoke some key information we shouldn't know about....
"Do you promise to sign a silence paper?" Will out loud unexpectingly.
"Huh...uh..What?" She turned around with a puzzled expression.
Will didn't reply, leaving her to catch on to what he just asked, until she said, "If it will answer my question about you two."
"Alright, no take backs?" Will confirmed twice.
"None at all." She said with certainty.
Will reveals a small recorder, "This contains your agreement, for the next few words I am going to say is strictly between you, me and Alyss."
Daniela's eye's widened giving a silent gulp, "Your being serious aren't you...this is a real thing isn't it."
Will nodded, "I suppose so."
Daniela laughed, "I was half expecting some excuse or cheesy answer."
Will didn't laugh but left a grim smile, with a deep breath, he spoke, " Let's start with this necklace. The Oakleaf."
The few words Will was going to say turned into a story. He started from where he was from, the time and where he grew up. Gradually, he went on to the day of the choosing, how he wanted to be a Knight really bad, until he was chosen to be a Ranger. Starting there, he went listing off the adventures he had. Life in the forest and training with Tug, endless arrows practiced.
The more Daniela heard, the more impressed and realistic it seemed to be, No way he can make this on the spot...I can almost imagine this..as if...he misses this place.
After the wild boar hunt, Will talked about the Kalkara's they chased and described the battle.
"No wonder.." She breathed softly.
Will nodded, "Fire was thing the killed it, anyway. I was told that one was killed and there were only two left. Maybe there was a fourth one that we overlooked."
With that, it explained pretty much all the questions she had formed in her mind. What the Kalkara's were, where was he from, his superior skills and massive amount of air of authority she always has envied....yet now something was nagging her.
"Will?"
"Yes?"
"Um...could you...uh.." She was uncertain if she was pushing it so she trails off thinking it might be better not to ask.
After several minutes, Will's usual curiosity broke the final straw.
"What?"
Daniela slightly jumped at the tone and sharp question.
"What did you want to ask me?" Will sat turning to see the direction of the wind.
"Welll..um... could you tell me more of other stories?" She asked, then seeing a slight bit of discouraged action, she quickly added, "You don't need to if don't want to." And turned away to face away from him.
"I suppose since I already told you that much." Will chuckled briefly
From there, Will unraveled adventures of saving the crown princess...and the whole Wargal war. Thus, unnoticed by both of them, the respect for Will grew within Daniela. Will followed down to the Battle of Skandia and how the victory was claimed... Will slightly touched on what Alyss was, leaving for her to decide if she wanted to tell Daniela her life. Crossing road of saving Alyss from a the castle, lightly describing the details of the siege. Up to here in Will's story, Daniela sat and listened intently.
"After, you know Skandia...well their leader...you could say his second guy, asked for help...in the desert."
Recalling the memories of being in the desert and how he almost lost Tug, not forgetting the action with the desert raiders. Pulling forth into where he went to the six Hiberian kingdoms destroying a dictating cult. Skipping where Halt almost died, Will went on to the final stretch of the story, Ni-hon Ja journey and it's big campaign. How they faced sheer numbers of armies and danger.
"..so now this is where me and Alyss woke up suddenly, here in theis monstrous world...while we know which end the sword was, we didn't know which was the end of a car." Will laughed.
Daniela watched Will with awe, Will shifted uncomfortably, "You know... staring is actually rude."
"O-oh right sorry" Taking her eyes off him, "Amazing, you managed to burn 3 hours and a half."
Will glared at her, "Not my fault you asked about my life."
Daniela nodded, "Fair enough, wow...practically you have been in near life or death situations. Here, the closest death we can possibly get really is either getting rejected or from poisoning...that also explains Alyss's high knowledge in courtesy of old nobility, even more than we know." Admitting the last fact which Will all could do was nod.
"So...Ranger's Corps, that is your explanation for your superior skill with the bow and...everything else you're good at." She said matter-of-factly.
Will nodded, "I suppose agency is going to kill me now, but there's no point in hiding from you. You are...somewhat a lady of the house."
"W-what do you mean by that!?" she demanded.
"Nothing..." Will looked towards the view with a smile sneaking to his lips, "Oh by the way, your dad thinks you were caring a stray cat you really liked and it died a couple days ago and we were just paying it a visit." He filled her in.
"Thanks..."
Will nodded, "Better sign that sheet of paper."
Ooo
"You know Will, this is a serious problem." The director said the very next day.
Will stood uneasily, "Well...."
Right beside him was Daniela and the opposite side was a slightly red faced Alyss. They lined up as if they were children who were caught doing something utterly terrible.
"She knows about you and I got a recording she's going to sign that paper." Will said.
Sarah whispered so everyone could here, "We could always just shoot her and destroy her death."
Which that made Daniela grip Will's arms a bit tighter, causing Alyss to give a jealous side-glare.
"Will, down to business. In return for this...problem we have right now. You promise us one thing."
Will looked at the director for what that may be.
"Hunt that Kalkara down. He's been striking in points, some may be innocent civilians nevertheless, but by chance, some of the deaths were people from important areas in the city." The director nodded to the large list on the shaded screen.
Will raised his eyebrows as he looked at the list, "I told you, Kalkaras are deadly, and it might be a she."
Alyss whispered into Will's ears, which then his shoulders slumped down.
"Their weakness is fire, get some on them and they are done for." Will explained.
The director and CEO looked at each other and then began to act but Will paused them, "They can sense danger, which is the problem right there. You wouldn't be able to get in clear shot without slipping through your hands."
"Well, what do you suggest?" Daniela looked up after signing the paper.
Will smiles at them all, "Old way, the good ol' Ranger's way."
Ooo
"Oh well, let's see. This bow is great, I can easily create fire arrows...anything else I missed Alyss?" Will asked.
Alyss began shaking her head until she remembered something what Baron Arald and Sir Rodney said, "You might want to get some earplugs, if you don't have those. Music...real good music up high volume." she added.
Sarah Tulip looked curiously at her, "Why do we need that..?" snapping her fingers to the secretary who was furiously writing notes down.
Will and Alyss looked at each other and grinned, "When it's alive, it may be terrible But the death is pretty...dramatic."
Sarah, somewhat confused nodded slowly not planning to question much more into it, "Alright got it, Will we had sightings it was near Nelson Street, that's a couple blocks down this one."
Will looked at the map and quickly memorized the key landmarks, "Alright, try to isolate and get the people out...where could it be hiding..." His question was sooon answered as one of their own choppers had a camera view on a roof of a building.
Alyss looked at the screen, "How did it get up there?"
Will shrugged, "What Halt said is think of a bear cross ape. So I suppose it can climb?"
Sarah tapped her pen on the tap, "There is a helicopter up on this roof top, use that."
Will looked with wide eyes as he thought about flying, "F-flying?"
She turned to answer irritably with such a simple question then paused to see an awestruck face along with Alyss, similar.
"Yes...right. You never flown before have you?" Sarah said uncertainly, "I wonder if you could get some.."
Will's face turned serious, "Sarah, could Alyss be allowed to come with me just for the ride part?"
She looked at the time and Alyss, "Fine, get the creature Will."
Ooo
The black slim chopper hovered to a jumpable elevation, which Will jumped and landed perfectly.
"Stay safe!" He heard Alyss shout over the blade's rotation, which he waves his hand.
"Alright Will, Director Cortex... when you were on your ride, it broke the door on the roof, seems like it went inside. Try to be careful."
Will muttered thanks and then removed the radio and anything he didn't need. "Useless junk." They did say I should keep it with me just in case...well its dead weight to me. Will thought.
He approached the door and entered. Will sensed that there was no one in the floor he was on so slowly and painfully went through every hall checking. He then saw something where he stood firmly, "Loviez Branch Cooperation." He read out, suddenly something was in the back of his mind which Will wondered what it was.
"Not this floor, so where coul-" As Will turned the very next corner, there was the Kalkara, sniffing.
Will jumped silently backwards and leaned near the corner wall. That was close. It seems like it's looking for something....
Now then it clicked, He's after Daniela.
Will counted and rushed drawing a narrow ranged fire arrow where the hall was completely empty, "Where'd the devil did that go?"
Ooo
"Alright dad, I am on my way to the one of our Branch..yeah I knowwww. I'll pick that up on the way home. Bye." Daniela hangs up and sees the tower, "Routine...routine." She mutters to herself as she opens the door herself before the driver could have done so.
"Thanks."
"My service, Milady." the driver slightly bowed and drove off.
What Daniela came and failed to notice was the fact the building was evacuated over 20 minutes ago-and she wasn't notified- so she tried entering, unfazed it was locked, she pulled out a card which the doors reopened for her.
Entering, a chilling and eerie silence made her slightly wince, "Where is everyone?" she wonders out loud.
There was suddenly a loud crash upstairs.
Ooo
"Hold it right there!" Will shouted after the Kalkara ahead of him moving at a spectacular speed.
Oh that's right! They are fond of silver Will quickly grabbed his Oakleaf necklace and held it out in front of him. The next time it turned its head to look, it froze staring right at the pure silver leaf.
"Is this it?" Will cooed.
Slowly approaching towards the beast, it suddenly lost its attention on the silver and began to look around and bolted to the next hall.
"Hey- what possibly is more important than silver to them right now?" Will asked aloud as if someone was going to answer. He then heard a short burst of scream, "Someone is still here?"
Will turned at the next bend to see the Kalkara staring, right into a girl who's face displayed indescribable amount of terror, whom Will recognized and with surprise, "Daniela?"