The Cyborg System-Chapter 64: The Resurrection

They met outside the cemetery gates at 3 am prompt. Though their usual sigil—a decorative gold crucifix with a blade at its base—was nowhere to be seen, these men were notorious minions of Legion. Renowned for their slew of grave robberies and other offences, it was unknown why the leader of the faction had tolerated such actions. Had the public only known the truth, there would have been uproar.

"Did you bring the bolt cutters?" asked Marcus in a hushed tone.

"Even better," said Doug, pulling out a prey tier axe with a sharpening affinity from his belt.

Marcus shook his head in disbelief.

"What?" asked Doug.

"You do realise, using a spirit weapon tells everyone this was a faction job...?"

"So?"

"Well, we’re probably the most prominently known grave diggers among the spirited ranks, yeah?"

"I suppose."

"Well, don’t you think people are gonna put two and two together?"

Doug shrugged. "I thought it looked cool," he replied, a little disheartened by his companion’s attitude.

"Look, just do it," Marcus said, gesturing towards the chain holding the gate together. It was rusted with age, many years having passed since the faction buried here had been wiped out.

With a smile on his face, Doug made one quick slash and the chains fell to the floor, cut cleanly through, with a clink.

The cemetery gates swung open, revealing the mass grave of the once great Black Dragon clan.

"You first," said Marcus.

*

It had been a minute or so since Pyre had heard the door slam. He waited a few moments, his eyes closed and lifeless. Then, just as he felt the life leaving his body, he activated the effect of the monster tier bracelet. He’d had neither the time nor the strength to remove the blade, which was wedged between his shoulder blades. Still, the healing effect of the bracelet was significant and he instantly felt the wounds down his spine closing up, the flesh knitting together and the spinal cord fusing as one. His essence was now completely drained from using the bracelet. If the intruder came back, he’d have no lifeline, no third chance.

He tried to stand but couldn’t. The knife in his spinal cord prevented him from using the lower half of his body. He dragged himself upright instead. Looking around the room, he could see his trousers on a chair in the corner. It would be difficult to travel that far, and the chance that he could shift the blade in his spine and cause more damage was considerable. That’s when he spotted Sadie’s bag. He crawled a few paces towards it, unzipped it and pulled out a mobile phone.

He needed to make a call, but placing his finger on the screen, there was a pin code lock. Pyre took a few moments to recall Sadie’s birthday, then typed it in the phone. Pin code incorrect. "Shit," said George. Then an idea came to him. He tried Nicholas’s birthday on the off chance and was surprised when the screen unlocked. He called on the Salamander office’s private number and was relieved to hear Major Keenan answer the phone.

"Pyre? Where have you been? It’s been more than a week..."

"Have you got a pen?" he replied.

"What’s this about?"

"Listen, I need to you to take down an address. Tell no one. Right now, I’m on a hotel room floor in Section 41 with a knife in my back."

"What? What the hell happened?" asked Major Keenan.

"It was the Shadow faction. They killed Nick’s mother and tried to take me out too. I’m only alive because of the bracelet. Look, if you can get here soon, I can fill you in on all the details."

"What’s the address?"

*

Entering the crypts of the Black Dragon clan was an unsettling experience. Their powerful form was the cornerstone of their ability, or had been, their reason for being considered one of the Four Pillars, before they had been wiped out by the first nightmare gate. As such, stone dragons were everywhere, giving the area a vaguely gothic feel.

"This is the one," said Marcus, pointing towards the largest of the buildings. It had a giant bust by its entrance, a fierce dragon towering above the pair of them. Underneath read the words: "Augustus Dragunov, one tenth scale."

They gave each other a strange look before heading inside.

Once in, they worked together to move the heavy stone slab in the centre to one side, revealing the long-dead leader of the Black Dragon clan. His body had withered, mummified, but it was clear that he had a broad frame before the years had stripped away his flesh.

"You do the honours," said Marcus.

Doug nodded, pulled out a cigar cutter and used it to slice a finger off the corpse, placing it in a test tube and sealing it up with a cork.

"Let’s get out of here..."

*

Once Pyre had explained the details of everything that had happened over the past few weeks, Major Keenan did not speak for a long time. When he finally did, his words were measured: "The Shadow faction think you are dead. We should keep it this way. Your AWOL status has already been noticed by higher ups. If I report I received a tip that you were murdered by the Shadow faction, we’re not far off the truth. Hell, they might even be able to verify it."

"But my wife? My sons?" asked George.

"For now, they’ll have to be kept in the dark, like everyone else. It’s the only way to keep everyone safe for the time being."

Pyre nodded.

Keenan grabbed the knife on his back. "Right, are you ready?"

Pyre grabbed a discarded towel nearby, biting down on it, then nodding.

The major pulled the knife from his body with one quick motion. Blood and spinal fluid leaked out, but the major was ready and instantly poured his essence into the bracelet to heal the captain’s wounds.