Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ Catharsis ❯ Chapter 4
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: tenohikari 
Anime/Manga: Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Angst / Comedy / Hentai / Mystery / Suspense | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.16.2002 | Pages: 6 | Words: 5.3K | Visits: 256 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Angst / Comedy / Hentai / Mystery / Suspense | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.16.2002 | Pages: 6 | Words: 5.3K | Visits: 256 | Status: Completed
Catharsis
Written By: Teno Hikari
email: teno_hikari@yahoo.com / tenohikari@cs.com
Disclaimer: I don't own Bakuretsu Hunters ... just this story
Summary: After his confrontation with the evil sorcerer, Zaha Torte; Carrot
Glace finds himself changing ... but is it for better or worse?
Takes place during 'Sorcerer's Revenge' (the second season of the TV series - I believe) after Episode 15 - 'Until we meet again'. I'll try and be as accurate as possible even though I haven't seen the anime or read the manga for a few years.
Warning: Violence, adult situations, and yaoi - you've been warned.
**********
Drowning deep in my sea of loathing
Broken your servant I kneel ...
(Will you give in to me?)
It seems what's left of my human side
Is slowly changing in me ...
(Will you give in to me?)
Looking at my own reflection when suddenly it changes
violently it changes
There is no turning back now you've woken up the demon in me....
-Disturbd 'Down with the sickness'
**********
It's a few hours past dawn when I finally stagger through the doors of Stellar Church and startle the small crowd of people waiting for me. Head spinning, I groggily try to keep balance as another body pounces onto me.
Red fills my vision, a scarlet ... no, a blood red color. Blood. My stomach
fills a little queasy as I look at the owner of that red hair.
"DARLING!"
I wince. Chocolate. Of course.
"Where have you been?!" She demands angrily, nearly choking the life out of
me, "Women chasing, I bet! Oh darling, you're such a jerk sometimes! I should
put my hat on and ..."
"Chocolate," Milphey Yu looks sternly at her, arms folded across the front of his pristine uniform. "Please, let Carrot explain."
I would have walked over and given the Haz Knight a big kiss on the lips. I would have ... if it hadn't been for the fact that I'm not 'that' way. At least I don't think I am. Well, I sort of am, but only a little. Ow...brain hurts. Taking a deep breath as Chocolate releases me from her bone crushing grip, I survey the people around me.
Tira is fuming silently next to Gateau, who is cracking his knuckles. Definitely not a good sign. Marron is trying his best not to break down into a fit. Milphey looks expectantly towards me, and I nod, swallowing hard.
"I was out last night, walking around," My voice trails off to redheaded Sorcerer Hunter whose blue eyes are narrowed dangerously. Uh, oh. "No girl chasing, I swear!"
Both Misu sisters give me disbelieving looks but decide not to pound me into
the ground ... yet. "Anyway," I continue, looking at Milphey. "I got lost
while wandering through the woods ... it started raining so I found shelter
for the night."
Yes, it was raining. I remember it clearly, the rain and the dark gray clouds they poured from. There was lightening, and I was freezing my ass off. Later on, I remember being warm and dry in a dark place. "A cave," I say after a few more seconds of recollecting my thoughts. "I must have taken shelter in a cave nearby and then ... I guess I fell asleep."
"You don't remember?" asks Marron, who is staring at my slightly damp clothes and tousled hair. "Did something happen?"
"Naw, caught a little cold, but I'm all better now!" I try to smile, seeing
that worried look on my little brother's face. The truth is, I don't remember much of what happened last night. What I am telling them now ... isn't exactly the truth but not necessarily a lie. I mean ... it can't be either since I don't recall anything. Ouch ... brain's hurting again.
"It stopped raining around noon," says Gateau, "Why didn't you come back then?"
"Noon?" I stare uncertainly at the older Sorcerer Hunter. "I just came back a couple of hours after sunrise. What are you guys doing here so early anyway?"
Everyone starts looking at me as if I have just told them the sky is now polka-dotted pink. "What?"
"Carrot, it's an hour after sunset," says Milphey.
"What?!" I shout unbelievingly. "You're kidding me! What are you trying to say? That a whole day flew by, and I didn't even notice?"
"Darling," Chocolate reaches out to touch my forehead. "You said you were sick. Maybe you were hallucinating?"
"Either that or you smashed your head against a rock," suggests Gateau. A startled look crosses their faces as I find myself glaring. Reaching up, I
smooth back the dark bangs from my face, then bow my head to show them that I don't have a head injury of any kind.
"I wasn't hallucinating!" I shout hysterically. Why am I shouting hysterically? They're probably right, and I'm just really, really, really
out of it. But no, there is this small nagging feeling at the back of my head. I want to kick it, if it is possible. Clenching my fists at my sides, I
try to piece through my shattered memory and put it back together. "It was
dark ...I remember it getting dark and there was a light. I saw the sunrise
and then I came here."
"You said you were lost," Tira points out. "How did you find your way back
after being lost all night?"
All night... I was gone all night. In a dark place, I remember my skin felt
both hot and cold at the same time. Shivering and sweating at the same time.
There was a light in the darkness... a light that kept flickering on and
off. "I...," I trail off while knitting my brow. I try to piece through the
puzzle but have a hard time making anything fit. "I don't remember."
"Darling?"
"Don't worry about it," says Milphey as he steps forward and places a hand
on my shoulder. "You're exhausted and should be resting like you're supposed
to."
I groan and slap my forehead. Big Mamma ordered me to stay at the Church and
rest. So what do I do? Go running off into the rain, catch a cold, and cause
everyone else to worry ... very responsible of me. Sighing, I nod my head in
silent agreement.
"Darling, you look tired," purrs Chocolate as she latches onto my arm. "Let's go to bed together."
"Chocolate, stop it!" Tira shouts, her glasses steaming up. "Carrot needs his rest and none of ... of that!"
"Aaww," the elder sister whines as she releases my arm. "Well, rest up, darling! We have to report to Big Mamma, and if you're not too tired we could have dinner later!"
"Sure," I yawn. "Sounds great. I'll see you guys later."
Turning away as they walk to the main hall, I am surprised to see that the Haz Knight is still standing there. Why? Why isn't he protecting Big Mamma like the others? Why is he starring at my throat? Feeling more uncomfortable by the minute, I head back to the room I had slept in. I hope to get a good night's sleep this time.
I remove my shirt and toss it over to the armchair, missing it completely, before collapsing onto the bed. I've just made a total idiot out of myself.
Okay, it's not hard to do, and I do it often, so my friends are pretty used
to it. However, a part of me wants to leave a good impression for the Haz
Knight after my craziness the other day. He may look like a girl, but his
position and power commands respect from all of us little people.
When training to be Sorcerer Hunters, we dreamed of being Haz Knights.
Especially Marron and I, since both our parents were Haz Knights in their
younger days. Marron would make a good Haz Knight with his knowledge of
Eastern Magic, his intelligence, his bravery and his composure. Correction,
Marron wouldn't make a good Haz Knight, he would be the perfect one. The
one my parents would always be proud of.
Especially our father. My eyes narrow wearily as I pull the covers over
my body. I try not to be jealous over the fact that Pop loved Marron more
than me. In both our eyes, my little brother could do no wrong. I, on the
other hand, am a walking disaster waiting to happen. Pop looked at me as if
I wasn't there ... and he'd even treat his adopted daughters more like kin
than he did his eldest son. Even though I'll never admit it out loud, I'm
jealous.
Pretending not to care, I keep telling myself that Onion Glace was a sorry
excuse for both a father and Haz Knight. Unfortunate for me that I ended up
adopting his lazy and perverted traits. During the old days, I respected and
loved one man like a father way more than my biological one. He was a wonderful father, all the other children would agree, and an excellent Haz
Knight. He was someone I looked up to and admired. Someone who promised to
train me to be like him, he ... he... he doesn't have a name. I can't
remember it. Wonderful. The man I idolized as a child, and I can't even
remember his name! Nice way of honoring a dead man. I'm such an idiot...
Absently, I rub my throat; there's some kind of bruise there that's just irritating me. Probably a bug bite, I was sleeping outside in the forest. What was weird is that the bite wasn't itchy ... just annoying. Weird how I didn't feel the throbbing soreness until now. Weird, how it didn't feel like a bug bite ... more like teeth marks. That seems to be the keyword of the day: weird.
***************
Chapter Four
***************
I end up sleeping peacefully throughout the night and well into the morning.
Instead Chocolate nearly gives me a heart attack by she slipping into my bed
and waiting for me to wake up. So, you could say I have a normal morning. At breakfast, everything is back to the way it used to be. Chocolate is trying to force-feed me my eggs, Tira is fuming as she watches us while Marron and Gateau observe with amused expressions while playing footsies under the table.
"Good morning, everyone!" Dotta makes her cheerful entrance, hovering in the
air above us.
"Well, it's good now," I grin, tilting my head to the side so I could look up her dress. Well, she is hovering right above me ... so why not? A few seconds later, I find myself sprawled on the floor. My head is throbbing where both Misu sisters malleted me. Oh, that's 'why not' ...
"Big Mamma wants to brief all of you now for your new cases," says the winged messenger.
"Cases?" Marron repeats. "She's assigning us more than one?"
"She'll explain it all herself," answers Dotta, who then looks over to where I lie. "I'm glad you're back to normal, Carrot. Feeling better?"
I just groan in response as Tira scrapes me off the floor.
**********
Once again the serious expression on Big Mamma's face slowly dissolves when
we enter the room. She's smiling at us, and from the corner of my eye I see the Haz Knights assembled as well, but Milphey isn't there. That's odd, the leader of the Haz Knights was always ...
"Hello, Carrot."
I jump about ten feet into the air when a hand reaches out to pat my shoulder. Spinning around, Milphey stands behind me, dressed without his
uniform and with an alarmed but amused look on his face. What freaks me out
is the fact that I have the best hearing on the team, and I didn't even hear
him come up behind me.
"I'm sorry I startled you," he apologizes.
"Uh," I swallow hard as I try and think up something intelligent to say. However, the blow to the head a few minutes ago might have actually done
some brain damage. Assuming my brain hadn't left me already. Then again, I'm
never good at this sort of thing. Thankfully, Dotta starts speaking and saves me from making a bigger fool out of myself by stuttering nonsense.
Pull yourself together, Sorcerer Hunter. It's time act serious. No, not act
but 'be' serious about this case. I straighten up and concentrate on what
Dotta and Big Mamma are saying while ignoring the glances the others are giving me.
My eyes lock on to the image of our newest target: Viscount Taltmut, a magic
engineer. What the hell is a magic engineer? Okay, the name says it all but
I'm still clueless. The guy is pretty good looking, pale skin and silver hair - gaahhhh! What the hell is happening to me?!
"Magic engineer?" I find myself speaking out, trying to keep focused on the
case and not my own twisted problems.
"What's that?" asks Gateau.
"We all know that during the history of war, several Kinju and magical weapons were created," explains Big Mamma. "The magic engineers are the ones
who designed all the kinju."
Knew I should have studied more in my Sorcerer Hunter history class. Turns out these magic engineers and their Kinju caused a lot of destruction as well as deaths during the war. Some really dangerous people you didn't want to piss off ... kinda like some ladies I know. Anyway, after the war these powerful magic engineers were collared to seal off their power and become
helpless little bunnies. However, one of them - our target Taltmut - is now
free. So let's do the math: helplessly collared magic engineer minus collar
equals powerful and very pissed off magic engineer. Yeah, that sounds about
right.
"So, now Viscount Taltmut can begin creating new Kinju?" asks Tira.
Chocolate, who is practically piercing my personal space, is now staring at
the collar around Taltmut's throat. "After all the trouble we've gone through to seal them..."
"If any new Kinju are created and spread out across the world, it could result in another war," Gateau says sullenly. Unsealed Magic Engineer plus
new kinju equals lots of trouble.
"That is why we must stop him," Milphey says, taking a step forward. "His
power must be sealed one way or another."
"Another" meaning death, since I bet Taltmut would rather die than be
humiliated by wearing a collar once again. Wait a minute ... "'We'?" I say,
staring at the Haz Knight. "You're coming with us?"
"I have asked Milphey Yu to assist you on this mission, my Sorcerer Hunters," says Big Mamma. "In case Viscount Taltmut has created a Kinju already. It is possible he has assistance that Milphey will take care of."
More magic engineers? Oh, wonderful! In that case why don't the rest of the
Haz Knights come along? The emerald haired man gives me a small reassuring
smile before his eyes lower a little to look at my throat. Swallowing hard,
I let my gaze lower to the small bite mark that was mostly hidden under my
shirt. He was staring at it the other day ... now that I'm looking at it in
the light, the bite does look like teeth marks. Resisting the urge to shiver, I pull the collar of my shirt up and turn to leave with the others after we're dismissed.
**********
"So, any ideas how we're going to nail this guy?" Gateau askes as we make our way to the city that Taltmut resides in. It won't be a city much longer if we don't stop the Magic Engineer. If we can stop him.
"Maybe we can try and seal his power again," suggests Chocolate, who points
to the gold collar in my hands. Milphey had given it to us before we parted
ways. Somehow, I don't think we'll be needing it.
"If we can get close to him that is," says Marron. "If not, then we have no
other alternative than to..."
My brother's voice trails off as we hear explosions coming from the city. Seems like our target is throwing himself a party. Well, if we're lucky, it
will be his last. Hopefully, he'll blast me before he can hurt the others.
[ "I don't care what happens to me if I can protect them!" ]
What was that? Who said that just now? Am I hearing voices too?! That's it,
I'm checking myself into a mental inst....
"CARROT, MOVE YOUR ASS!"
Well, it's back to reality I go.
"I'm movin'! I'm movin!" I shout back, running to catch up with the others. Really, I gotta stop zoning out like this. The worst feeling in the
world is when one of my friends get injured whenever I do something stupid.
But not this time.
The scent of ash and cinder fills my nostrils as we approach the city that
is cloaked with flames. Along with the smell of burning flesh that also
permeates the air, befouling my senses. I know I'm not in the right frame of
mind when I start thinking like Marron. A sudden sickness washes over me,
and it feels like my stomach is trying to escape through my throat.
How many? How many people has this bastard killed already? Everything moves
quickly, and I see a streak of red light flash in the sky before the ground
rumbles beneath us. I end up falling on my ass, but go directly into a roll
to absorb most of the shock of the fall. Back on my feet once more, my eyes
narrow and scan the surrounding area. He's close, my keen hearing has picked
up the sound of laughter. The only one who would laugh at this destruction
is the person who caused it.
I follow my instincts and am a bit surprised to see that the others are now
following me. The laughter gets louder as we reach the top of a concrete wall that surveys most of the burning city. My teeth grind silently together as I spot our target standing out in the open. The magic engineer is still laughing while admiring his handy work. Bastard. I'll think of better insults after he's dead.
"A true Magic Engineer controls the power of destruction and the Kinju!" he
says with a gleeful laugh.
Another streak of red, and I find myself shuddering. Wear have I seen this
power before? I want to observe the magic engineer more, to see where he's
drawing his new source of magic fromm, but the others want to interrupt. Oh
well, I guess it doesn't matter, because he's going to die. No sorcerer has ever stood a chance against my Zoanthropy form.
"You might want to stop while you're ahead," Chocolate tells him.
"You can still go back," adds Tira.
I doubt their words, and I'm sure he does as well. Taltmut turns around to
face us, and we see the gleam of power in his eyes and the hatred of the object I hold my hands. No, he won't turn back. Not as long as he thirsts
for power. Once you have it ... once you've walked the road to ruin, there is no turning back.
"So you finally came, Sorcerer Hunters," he says, practically spitting out the last part while crimson eyes narrow at the five of us. "To end my existence?"
"No, duh," I mutter under my breath. I almost freeze when the Magic Engineer
looks directly at me and then to the spinning collar seal around my finger.
"Your power, if left ignored, will lead to more devastation," Tira says,
gesturing to the fiery scene before us.
"If you let us seal it," says Chocolate, "We'll let you go."
I frown at those words, actually hoping he will turn down our offer. Not that I want to fight the crazy Sorcerer, but he shouldn't be able to walk away after all the hell he's caused. Funny, I've never wanted to kill a man before, until now.
"And why should I ask for your forgiveness?" He says with a glare. Those
eyes are then focused on the seal in my hand, and I let out a loud gasp as
it shatters. I smile inwardly, having anticipated this and glad he didn't
disappoint.
"You're the ones who shall be punished," Taltmut says boldly. "I'll show you
the power of a true Magic Engineer. I haven't used this Kinju in a while,
but let's call this a warm-up. Hope you Sorcerer Hunters are up for playing."
I don't like the sound of that. Just blast me already so I can stomp you into a bloody pulp! He snaps his fingers, and the wall we're on begins to rumble noisily. We scatter away, wondering what trick our target was up to until something emerges from the earth.
What the hell? What's he pulling up from the ground? Whatever it is was taking shape of a ... a ...
"A stone golem," Marron says as both he and Gateau stand together. They really do make a cute couple. Dammit, Carrot! Now isn't the time of having
thoughts about walking Marron down a wedding aisle!
Before I know it, the two Misu sisters have already changed forms and are ready to put this Magic Engineer out of our misery. Great, now I have to let them deal with the jumbo sized pet rock until Taltmut decides to use his
magic on me. Sometimes I feel like I should just strap a target to myself
with an arrow saying 'aim magic here.' I guess the best chance I've got is
just pissing him off with a surprise attack. Heh, that's something I'm good
at. Er, pissing people off, that is.
Sneaking my way over to him, I can hear the Sorcerer laugh and gloat at my
friends' pathetic attempts against his Kinju. I'll have to remember to make
sure he screams as I crush the life out of him. Maybe I'll peel away his flesh, strip the marrow from his bones and ... why am I thinking?! Focus, I
need to focus ... I'm closer and he'll never see me coming...
"Your fellow Sorcerer Hunters are pathetic," He says before looking straight
at me. So much for my little surprise attack. Now, I just hope I can piss him
off.
"You want to know what's even more pathetic?" I ask, my eyes narrowing. "You. Your power hungry and childish actions are the reason why you were collared like a mutt in the first place!"
His lips twist into a sneer while his eyes burn with anger. Mission ccomplished. I get ready to be hit by his magic spell, but the ground underneath my feet splits open, sending me flying back. Dammit, I didn't
count on this! Slammed into the wall, I slump to the ground and watch him
slowly advance like a hunter would stalk his prey. I am sooo screwed.
A hand clamps down on the back of my neck and raises my head off the ground.
Damn... he's smiling. A groan escapes my throat as I'm shoved up against the
wall that I had hit a few moments ago. I see a glimmer of a smile on his lips before pain stabs through my shoulders. He's embedded sharp spikes into them, stone spikes that go through my flesh to scrape into the wall behind me. Now glistening crimson. Blood ... that's my blood spilling down the front of my body.
He takes a step closer, anger gone from his face, and now he just looks amused. Dazed at the slowly numbing pain running up and down my arms, my brain slowly analyzes the situation I'm in. I'm literally pinned to a wall
that's away from my friends, so they can't see what's going on. Nimble fingers are trying to rip open the front of my shirt. Oh God ... please don't tell me he's gonna... I would like to scream, if it didn't feel like someone had reached in and tore out my vocal cords.
**********
For several minutes my brain just seems to have been switched to the off mode. It is either that, or it probably got fed up with me for not listening, and decided to call it quits. I don't blame it ... probably exchanged places with a vegetable. Heh, maybe a carrot ... so Carrot now has a carrot for a brain. okay ... am I on drugs? It is when I'm submerged into ice cold water that I seem to wake up from my trance. My body tenses and tries to move, but firm hands pin me down into the porcelain bath tub. Staring up at the man holding me down, my teeth are chattering from both the cold and fear, while I try to squirm out of his grip.
"It's cold!" I manage to say. Shaking while clinging on to him, I wish I had
the strength to climb out. He just looks down at me with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Of course," he says finally with a bit of impatience. "It's supposed to be
in order to lower your fever. Now calm down."
It's when I actually hear his voice and see a mysterious glimmer in his eyes
that I come into full awareness. This is a dream. Repeat, this is a dream
... please, God...let this be another dream I'll wake up from. The ice cold
water that stabs like a thousand nails tells me not to count on my prayers. This is real. I'm really naked in a tub of freezing water, and he's here sitting by the side while looking right into my terror-filled eyes. Reality sucks.
It's also kinda hot. Fever? Oh, right ... being out in the rain that long was bound to make me sick. So I'm sick, naked, and in the enemy's evil lair ... the only thing to make this even worse is...
"Your eyes," Zaha Torte nods toward me. "They're beautiful."
Nevermind.
I can't seem to think of anything intelligent to say. I swallow hard, wincing as it feels like I'm swallowing sand. So, I'm just looking at him as if he were speaking some foreign language, while trying to inch back away and cover my nudity. A small smile tugs at his lips as he reaches out to capture my jaw, making me wince.
Okay, this guy has me completely freaked out. Way worse than Chocolate and
Tira together on their 'time of the month'. In my desperate attempt to put
distance between us, I manage to slip out of his grip ... and completely
into the water. My situation does not improve as I accidentally take a
breath of water. My arms are seized roughly in a strong grip before he hauls
me up to sit upright in the bath so I can hack, wheeze, and then breathe
once again.
"You are an idiot," he informs me as I continue to sputter. "I told you to
calm down."
"Let me go!" I hiss. It occurs to me now that he has my arms pinned to my sides, leaving me unable to cover myself while in cool and *clear* water. If
this is a nightmare, it's the worse one I've ever had. Way worse than my nightmare of me marrying Gateau...ick.
"Why?" he asks, "If I let you go you'll drown, and I need you alive, Carrot
Glace."
"Need me for what, you creep?!" I demand. I am trying not to blush, but am already failing at that due to the fever. Beads of perspiration run down my throat as he leans closer, his breath warm against my heated flesh. In vain,
I find myself trying to pull away until my back comes in contact with the cool surface that is the edge of the bath tub.
"You weren't afraid of me before, but you certainly are now," he says, ignoring my constant attempts to struggle out of the tub, splashing water
everywhere. "I'm glad."
"You're glad?!" I repeat in disgust.
He just stares, a half smile on lips as he brushes them against mine. I have the urge to head butt him, but I'd probably do more damage to myself. Considering the fact that I accidentally banged his head against some huge rocks, and he turned out to be just fine. Shivering and pressed against the porcelain tub, I try to put on my best courageous face and bite my lower lip to keep it from trembling.
"What ... do ... you ... want."
The half teasing smile becomes a full one, and I think my heart must have burst free from my chest and run out the door. Hands wrap around my shoulders and pull me out of the bathtub to straddle his lap. I think I prefer the freezing water. Zaha's violet gaze narrows slightly as he tilts his head to the side and looks like he is considering something. I can almost hear the thoughts running through his head: 'shall I rape him and then kill him ... or kill him first?' ...neither appealed to me.
"What do you want?" I ask again, clenching my teeth to stop them from chattering.
His hand runs through the dark and damp mass of my hair before grasping tightly and pulling my head back. I'm lost for breath at the sudden pain, my
eyes widen as I stare up at the ceiling and catch sight of several candles.
Swallowing hard as his breath touches my exposed throat, I stare into the
flickering candlelight. Pulse hammering under my skin, I squeeze my eyes
shut as something hard rakes against my neck. A knife? No, it doesn't feel
like metal...is it teeth? It has to be ... and he's muttering something I can't understand. I don't understand any of this.
"I want back what belongs to me," he says finally, after several seconds.
My eyes burn with tears at the pain caused by his teeth sinking into the flesh of my throat. Real. This is real and both the coppery scent and warm
trickle down my neck is really blood. He's talking in a low voice again,
whispers in my ear that I can't distinguish. His words float around in my subconscious before he releases his grip from my hair. One by one, each candle in the bathroom is snuffed, plunging the room into darkness.
**********
"He was right," Taltmut purred against my ear, making me shudder. "Fear does
bring out beauty in you, Sorcerer Hunter."
"He?" I choke out, barely getting my voice to work.
The silver-haired Magic Engineer grins before casting his eyes over the wall I am up against to observe the others. "'Kill the Sorcerer Hunters and you will receive the power of he who is closest to God' was the deal he made
me."
I lean back to avoid the hands that have given up on opening the shirt and
are at belt buckle of my pants. Not caring that I am impaling myself further against those stone spikes. I didn't even know blood was streaming
from the corner of my mouth until I try to speak. "However, he gave me specific instructions to keep you alive."
"Me?" I gurgle. Am I dying? It certainly feels like I am.
"You'll live through this, Sorcerer Hunter," He grins. "But I did say that
I would punish the Sorcerer Hunters ... and I meant all of you."
It is when his lips descend on my mouth that I let out a scream, and in the
back of my mind I can hear him laugh. Both he and Taltmut are laughing. No, I'm not going to let this happen! Not again!
'Kill them'
A voice echoed, taking control of my fears.
'Kill them all.'
[ Author's Notes ]
Feedback? Please?
Written By: Teno Hikari
email: teno_hikari@yahoo.com / tenohikari@cs.com
Disclaimer: I don't own Bakuretsu Hunters ... just this story
Summary: After his confrontation with the evil sorcerer, Zaha Torte; Carrot
Glace finds himself changing ... but is it for better or worse?
Takes place during 'Sorcerer's Revenge' (the second season of the TV series - I believe) after Episode 15 - 'Until we meet again'. I'll try and be as accurate as possible even though I haven't seen the anime or read the manga for a few years.
Warning: Violence, adult situations, and yaoi - you've been warned.
**********
Drowning deep in my sea of loathing
Broken your servant I kneel ...
(Will you give in to me?)
It seems what's left of my human side
Is slowly changing in me ...
(Will you give in to me?)
Looking at my own reflection when suddenly it changes
violently it changes
There is no turning back now you've woken up the demon in me....
-Disturbd 'Down with the sickness'
**********
It's a few hours past dawn when I finally stagger through the doors of Stellar Church and startle the small crowd of people waiting for me. Head spinning, I groggily try to keep balance as another body pounces onto me.
Red fills my vision, a scarlet ... no, a blood red color. Blood. My stomach
fills a little queasy as I look at the owner of that red hair.
"DARLING!"
I wince. Chocolate. Of course.
"Where have you been?!" She demands angrily, nearly choking the life out of
me, "Women chasing, I bet! Oh darling, you're such a jerk sometimes! I should
put my hat on and ..."
"Chocolate," Milphey Yu looks sternly at her, arms folded across the front of his pristine uniform. "Please, let Carrot explain."
I would have walked over and given the Haz Knight a big kiss on the lips. I would have ... if it hadn't been for the fact that I'm not 'that' way. At least I don't think I am. Well, I sort of am, but only a little. Ow...brain hurts. Taking a deep breath as Chocolate releases me from her bone crushing grip, I survey the people around me.
Tira is fuming silently next to Gateau, who is cracking his knuckles. Definitely not a good sign. Marron is trying his best not to break down into a fit. Milphey looks expectantly towards me, and I nod, swallowing hard.
"I was out last night, walking around," My voice trails off to redheaded Sorcerer Hunter whose blue eyes are narrowed dangerously. Uh, oh. "No girl chasing, I swear!"
Both Misu sisters give me disbelieving looks but decide not to pound me into
the ground ... yet. "Anyway," I continue, looking at Milphey. "I got lost
while wandering through the woods ... it started raining so I found shelter
for the night."
Yes, it was raining. I remember it clearly, the rain and the dark gray clouds they poured from. There was lightening, and I was freezing my ass off. Later on, I remember being warm and dry in a dark place. "A cave," I say after a few more seconds of recollecting my thoughts. "I must have taken shelter in a cave nearby and then ... I guess I fell asleep."
"You don't remember?" asks Marron, who is staring at my slightly damp clothes and tousled hair. "Did something happen?"
"Naw, caught a little cold, but I'm all better now!" I try to smile, seeing
that worried look on my little brother's face. The truth is, I don't remember much of what happened last night. What I am telling them now ... isn't exactly the truth but not necessarily a lie. I mean ... it can't be either since I don't recall anything. Ouch ... brain's hurting again.
"It stopped raining around noon," says Gateau, "Why didn't you come back then?"
"Noon?" I stare uncertainly at the older Sorcerer Hunter. "I just came back a couple of hours after sunrise. What are you guys doing here so early anyway?"
Everyone starts looking at me as if I have just told them the sky is now polka-dotted pink. "What?"
"Carrot, it's an hour after sunset," says Milphey.
"What?!" I shout unbelievingly. "You're kidding me! What are you trying to say? That a whole day flew by, and I didn't even notice?"
"Darling," Chocolate reaches out to touch my forehead. "You said you were sick. Maybe you were hallucinating?"
"Either that or you smashed your head against a rock," suggests Gateau. A startled look crosses their faces as I find myself glaring. Reaching up, I
smooth back the dark bangs from my face, then bow my head to show them that I don't have a head injury of any kind.
"I wasn't hallucinating!" I shout hysterically. Why am I shouting hysterically? They're probably right, and I'm just really, really, really
out of it. But no, there is this small nagging feeling at the back of my head. I want to kick it, if it is possible. Clenching my fists at my sides, I
try to piece through my shattered memory and put it back together. "It was
dark ...I remember it getting dark and there was a light. I saw the sunrise
and then I came here."
"You said you were lost," Tira points out. "How did you find your way back
after being lost all night?"
All night... I was gone all night. In a dark place, I remember my skin felt
both hot and cold at the same time. Shivering and sweating at the same time.
There was a light in the darkness... a light that kept flickering on and
off. "I...," I trail off while knitting my brow. I try to piece through the
puzzle but have a hard time making anything fit. "I don't remember."
"Darling?"
"Don't worry about it," says Milphey as he steps forward and places a hand
on my shoulder. "You're exhausted and should be resting like you're supposed
to."
I groan and slap my forehead. Big Mamma ordered me to stay at the Church and
rest. So what do I do? Go running off into the rain, catch a cold, and cause
everyone else to worry ... very responsible of me. Sighing, I nod my head in
silent agreement.
"Darling, you look tired," purrs Chocolate as she latches onto my arm. "Let's go to bed together."
"Chocolate, stop it!" Tira shouts, her glasses steaming up. "Carrot needs his rest and none of ... of that!"
"Aaww," the elder sister whines as she releases my arm. "Well, rest up, darling! We have to report to Big Mamma, and if you're not too tired we could have dinner later!"
"Sure," I yawn. "Sounds great. I'll see you guys later."
Turning away as they walk to the main hall, I am surprised to see that the Haz Knight is still standing there. Why? Why isn't he protecting Big Mamma like the others? Why is he starring at my throat? Feeling more uncomfortable by the minute, I head back to the room I had slept in. I hope to get a good night's sleep this time.
I remove my shirt and toss it over to the armchair, missing it completely, before collapsing onto the bed. I've just made a total idiot out of myself.
Okay, it's not hard to do, and I do it often, so my friends are pretty used
to it. However, a part of me wants to leave a good impression for the Haz
Knight after my craziness the other day. He may look like a girl, but his
position and power commands respect from all of us little people.
When training to be Sorcerer Hunters, we dreamed of being Haz Knights.
Especially Marron and I, since both our parents were Haz Knights in their
younger days. Marron would make a good Haz Knight with his knowledge of
Eastern Magic, his intelligence, his bravery and his composure. Correction,
Marron wouldn't make a good Haz Knight, he would be the perfect one. The
one my parents would always be proud of.
Especially our father. My eyes narrow wearily as I pull the covers over
my body. I try not to be jealous over the fact that Pop loved Marron more
than me. In both our eyes, my little brother could do no wrong. I, on the
other hand, am a walking disaster waiting to happen. Pop looked at me as if
I wasn't there ... and he'd even treat his adopted daughters more like kin
than he did his eldest son. Even though I'll never admit it out loud, I'm
jealous.
Pretending not to care, I keep telling myself that Onion Glace was a sorry
excuse for both a father and Haz Knight. Unfortunate for me that I ended up
adopting his lazy and perverted traits. During the old days, I respected and
loved one man like a father way more than my biological one. He was a wonderful father, all the other children would agree, and an excellent Haz
Knight. He was someone I looked up to and admired. Someone who promised to
train me to be like him, he ... he... he doesn't have a name. I can't
remember it. Wonderful. The man I idolized as a child, and I can't even
remember his name! Nice way of honoring a dead man. I'm such an idiot...
Absently, I rub my throat; there's some kind of bruise there that's just irritating me. Probably a bug bite, I was sleeping outside in the forest. What was weird is that the bite wasn't itchy ... just annoying. Weird how I didn't feel the throbbing soreness until now. Weird, how it didn't feel like a bug bite ... more like teeth marks. That seems to be the keyword of the day: weird.
***************
Chapter Four
***************
I end up sleeping peacefully throughout the night and well into the morning.
Instead Chocolate nearly gives me a heart attack by she slipping into my bed
and waiting for me to wake up. So, you could say I have a normal morning. At breakfast, everything is back to the way it used to be. Chocolate is trying to force-feed me my eggs, Tira is fuming as she watches us while Marron and Gateau observe with amused expressions while playing footsies under the table.
"Good morning, everyone!" Dotta makes her cheerful entrance, hovering in the
air above us.
"Well, it's good now," I grin, tilting my head to the side so I could look up her dress. Well, she is hovering right above me ... so why not? A few seconds later, I find myself sprawled on the floor. My head is throbbing where both Misu sisters malleted me. Oh, that's 'why not' ...
"Big Mamma wants to brief all of you now for your new cases," says the winged messenger.
"Cases?" Marron repeats. "She's assigning us more than one?"
"She'll explain it all herself," answers Dotta, who then looks over to where I lie. "I'm glad you're back to normal, Carrot. Feeling better?"
I just groan in response as Tira scrapes me off the floor.
**********
Once again the serious expression on Big Mamma's face slowly dissolves when
we enter the room. She's smiling at us, and from the corner of my eye I see the Haz Knights assembled as well, but Milphey isn't there. That's odd, the leader of the Haz Knights was always ...
"Hello, Carrot."
I jump about ten feet into the air when a hand reaches out to pat my shoulder. Spinning around, Milphey stands behind me, dressed without his
uniform and with an alarmed but amused look on his face. What freaks me out
is the fact that I have the best hearing on the team, and I didn't even hear
him come up behind me.
"I'm sorry I startled you," he apologizes.
"Uh," I swallow hard as I try and think up something intelligent to say. However, the blow to the head a few minutes ago might have actually done
some brain damage. Assuming my brain hadn't left me already. Then again, I'm
never good at this sort of thing. Thankfully, Dotta starts speaking and saves me from making a bigger fool out of myself by stuttering nonsense.
Pull yourself together, Sorcerer Hunter. It's time act serious. No, not act
but 'be' serious about this case. I straighten up and concentrate on what
Dotta and Big Mamma are saying while ignoring the glances the others are giving me.
My eyes lock on to the image of our newest target: Viscount Taltmut, a magic
engineer. What the hell is a magic engineer? Okay, the name says it all but
I'm still clueless. The guy is pretty good looking, pale skin and silver hair - gaahhhh! What the hell is happening to me?!
"Magic engineer?" I find myself speaking out, trying to keep focused on the
case and not my own twisted problems.
"What's that?" asks Gateau.
"We all know that during the history of war, several Kinju and magical weapons were created," explains Big Mamma. "The magic engineers are the ones
who designed all the kinju."
Knew I should have studied more in my Sorcerer Hunter history class. Turns out these magic engineers and their Kinju caused a lot of destruction as well as deaths during the war. Some really dangerous people you didn't want to piss off ... kinda like some ladies I know. Anyway, after the war these powerful magic engineers were collared to seal off their power and become
helpless little bunnies. However, one of them - our target Taltmut - is now
free. So let's do the math: helplessly collared magic engineer minus collar
equals powerful and very pissed off magic engineer. Yeah, that sounds about
right.
"So, now Viscount Taltmut can begin creating new Kinju?" asks Tira.
Chocolate, who is practically piercing my personal space, is now staring at
the collar around Taltmut's throat. "After all the trouble we've gone through to seal them..."
"If any new Kinju are created and spread out across the world, it could result in another war," Gateau says sullenly. Unsealed Magic Engineer plus
new kinju equals lots of trouble.
"That is why we must stop him," Milphey says, taking a step forward. "His
power must be sealed one way or another."
"Another" meaning death, since I bet Taltmut would rather die than be
humiliated by wearing a collar once again. Wait a minute ... "'We'?" I say,
staring at the Haz Knight. "You're coming with us?"
"I have asked Milphey Yu to assist you on this mission, my Sorcerer Hunters," says Big Mamma. "In case Viscount Taltmut has created a Kinju already. It is possible he has assistance that Milphey will take care of."
More magic engineers? Oh, wonderful! In that case why don't the rest of the
Haz Knights come along? The emerald haired man gives me a small reassuring
smile before his eyes lower a little to look at my throat. Swallowing hard,
I let my gaze lower to the small bite mark that was mostly hidden under my
shirt. He was staring at it the other day ... now that I'm looking at it in
the light, the bite does look like teeth marks. Resisting the urge to shiver, I pull the collar of my shirt up and turn to leave with the others after we're dismissed.
**********
"So, any ideas how we're going to nail this guy?" Gateau askes as we make our way to the city that Taltmut resides in. It won't be a city much longer if we don't stop the Magic Engineer. If we can stop him.
"Maybe we can try and seal his power again," suggests Chocolate, who points
to the gold collar in my hands. Milphey had given it to us before we parted
ways. Somehow, I don't think we'll be needing it.
"If we can get close to him that is," says Marron. "If not, then we have no
other alternative than to..."
My brother's voice trails off as we hear explosions coming from the city. Seems like our target is throwing himself a party. Well, if we're lucky, it
will be his last. Hopefully, he'll blast me before he can hurt the others.
[ "I don't care what happens to me if I can protect them!" ]
What was that? Who said that just now? Am I hearing voices too?! That's it,
I'm checking myself into a mental inst....
"CARROT, MOVE YOUR ASS!"
Well, it's back to reality I go.
"I'm movin'! I'm movin!" I shout back, running to catch up with the others. Really, I gotta stop zoning out like this. The worst feeling in the
world is when one of my friends get injured whenever I do something stupid.
But not this time.
The scent of ash and cinder fills my nostrils as we approach the city that
is cloaked with flames. Along with the smell of burning flesh that also
permeates the air, befouling my senses. I know I'm not in the right frame of
mind when I start thinking like Marron. A sudden sickness washes over me,
and it feels like my stomach is trying to escape through my throat.
How many? How many people has this bastard killed already? Everything moves
quickly, and I see a streak of red light flash in the sky before the ground
rumbles beneath us. I end up falling on my ass, but go directly into a roll
to absorb most of the shock of the fall. Back on my feet once more, my eyes
narrow and scan the surrounding area. He's close, my keen hearing has picked
up the sound of laughter. The only one who would laugh at this destruction
is the person who caused it.
I follow my instincts and am a bit surprised to see that the others are now
following me. The laughter gets louder as we reach the top of a concrete wall that surveys most of the burning city. My teeth grind silently together as I spot our target standing out in the open. The magic engineer is still laughing while admiring his handy work. Bastard. I'll think of better insults after he's dead.
"A true Magic Engineer controls the power of destruction and the Kinju!" he
says with a gleeful laugh.
Another streak of red, and I find myself shuddering. Wear have I seen this
power before? I want to observe the magic engineer more, to see where he's
drawing his new source of magic fromm, but the others want to interrupt. Oh
well, I guess it doesn't matter, because he's going to die. No sorcerer has ever stood a chance against my Zoanthropy form.
"You might want to stop while you're ahead," Chocolate tells him.
"You can still go back," adds Tira.
I doubt their words, and I'm sure he does as well. Taltmut turns around to
face us, and we see the gleam of power in his eyes and the hatred of the object I hold my hands. No, he won't turn back. Not as long as he thirsts
for power. Once you have it ... once you've walked the road to ruin, there is no turning back.
"So you finally came, Sorcerer Hunters," he says, practically spitting out the last part while crimson eyes narrow at the five of us. "To end my existence?"
"No, duh," I mutter under my breath. I almost freeze when the Magic Engineer
looks directly at me and then to the spinning collar seal around my finger.
"Your power, if left ignored, will lead to more devastation," Tira says,
gesturing to the fiery scene before us.
"If you let us seal it," says Chocolate, "We'll let you go."
I frown at those words, actually hoping he will turn down our offer. Not that I want to fight the crazy Sorcerer, but he shouldn't be able to walk away after all the hell he's caused. Funny, I've never wanted to kill a man before, until now.
"And why should I ask for your forgiveness?" He says with a glare. Those
eyes are then focused on the seal in my hand, and I let out a loud gasp as
it shatters. I smile inwardly, having anticipated this and glad he didn't
disappoint.
"You're the ones who shall be punished," Taltmut says boldly. "I'll show you
the power of a true Magic Engineer. I haven't used this Kinju in a while,
but let's call this a warm-up. Hope you Sorcerer Hunters are up for playing."
I don't like the sound of that. Just blast me already so I can stomp you into a bloody pulp! He snaps his fingers, and the wall we're on begins to rumble noisily. We scatter away, wondering what trick our target was up to until something emerges from the earth.
What the hell? What's he pulling up from the ground? Whatever it is was taking shape of a ... a ...
"A stone golem," Marron says as both he and Gateau stand together. They really do make a cute couple. Dammit, Carrot! Now isn't the time of having
thoughts about walking Marron down a wedding aisle!
Before I know it, the two Misu sisters have already changed forms and are ready to put this Magic Engineer out of our misery. Great, now I have to let them deal with the jumbo sized pet rock until Taltmut decides to use his
magic on me. Sometimes I feel like I should just strap a target to myself
with an arrow saying 'aim magic here.' I guess the best chance I've got is
just pissing him off with a surprise attack. Heh, that's something I'm good
at. Er, pissing people off, that is.
Sneaking my way over to him, I can hear the Sorcerer laugh and gloat at my
friends' pathetic attempts against his Kinju. I'll have to remember to make
sure he screams as I crush the life out of him. Maybe I'll peel away his flesh, strip the marrow from his bones and ... why am I thinking?! Focus, I
need to focus ... I'm closer and he'll never see me coming...
"Your fellow Sorcerer Hunters are pathetic," He says before looking straight
at me. So much for my little surprise attack. Now, I just hope I can piss him
off.
"You want to know what's even more pathetic?" I ask, my eyes narrowing. "You. Your power hungry and childish actions are the reason why you were collared like a mutt in the first place!"
His lips twist into a sneer while his eyes burn with anger. Mission ccomplished. I get ready to be hit by his magic spell, but the ground underneath my feet splits open, sending me flying back. Dammit, I didn't
count on this! Slammed into the wall, I slump to the ground and watch him
slowly advance like a hunter would stalk his prey. I am sooo screwed.
A hand clamps down on the back of my neck and raises my head off the ground.
Damn... he's smiling. A groan escapes my throat as I'm shoved up against the
wall that I had hit a few moments ago. I see a glimmer of a smile on his lips before pain stabs through my shoulders. He's embedded sharp spikes into them, stone spikes that go through my flesh to scrape into the wall behind me. Now glistening crimson. Blood ... that's my blood spilling down the front of my body.
He takes a step closer, anger gone from his face, and now he just looks amused. Dazed at the slowly numbing pain running up and down my arms, my brain slowly analyzes the situation I'm in. I'm literally pinned to a wall
that's away from my friends, so they can't see what's going on. Nimble fingers are trying to rip open the front of my shirt. Oh God ... please don't tell me he's gonna... I would like to scream, if it didn't feel like someone had reached in and tore out my vocal cords.
**********
For several minutes my brain just seems to have been switched to the off mode. It is either that, or it probably got fed up with me for not listening, and decided to call it quits. I don't blame it ... probably exchanged places with a vegetable. Heh, maybe a carrot ... so Carrot now has a carrot for a brain. okay ... am I on drugs? It is when I'm submerged into ice cold water that I seem to wake up from my trance. My body tenses and tries to move, but firm hands pin me down into the porcelain bath tub. Staring up at the man holding me down, my teeth are chattering from both the cold and fear, while I try to squirm out of his grip.
"It's cold!" I manage to say. Shaking while clinging on to him, I wish I had
the strength to climb out. He just looks down at me with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Of course," he says finally with a bit of impatience. "It's supposed to be
in order to lower your fever. Now calm down."
It's when I actually hear his voice and see a mysterious glimmer in his eyes
that I come into full awareness. This is a dream. Repeat, this is a dream
... please, God...let this be another dream I'll wake up from. The ice cold
water that stabs like a thousand nails tells me not to count on my prayers. This is real. I'm really naked in a tub of freezing water, and he's here sitting by the side while looking right into my terror-filled eyes. Reality sucks.
It's also kinda hot. Fever? Oh, right ... being out in the rain that long was bound to make me sick. So I'm sick, naked, and in the enemy's evil lair ... the only thing to make this even worse is...
"Your eyes," Zaha Torte nods toward me. "They're beautiful."
Nevermind.
I can't seem to think of anything intelligent to say. I swallow hard, wincing as it feels like I'm swallowing sand. So, I'm just looking at him as if he were speaking some foreign language, while trying to inch back away and cover my nudity. A small smile tugs at his lips as he reaches out to capture my jaw, making me wince.
Okay, this guy has me completely freaked out. Way worse than Chocolate and
Tira together on their 'time of the month'. In my desperate attempt to put
distance between us, I manage to slip out of his grip ... and completely
into the water. My situation does not improve as I accidentally take a
breath of water. My arms are seized roughly in a strong grip before he hauls
me up to sit upright in the bath so I can hack, wheeze, and then breathe
once again.
"You are an idiot," he informs me as I continue to sputter. "I told you to
calm down."
"Let me go!" I hiss. It occurs to me now that he has my arms pinned to my sides, leaving me unable to cover myself while in cool and *clear* water. If
this is a nightmare, it's the worse one I've ever had. Way worse than my nightmare of me marrying Gateau...ick.
"Why?" he asks, "If I let you go you'll drown, and I need you alive, Carrot
Glace."
"Need me for what, you creep?!" I demand. I am trying not to blush, but am already failing at that due to the fever. Beads of perspiration run down my throat as he leans closer, his breath warm against my heated flesh. In vain,
I find myself trying to pull away until my back comes in contact with the cool surface that is the edge of the bath tub.
"You weren't afraid of me before, but you certainly are now," he says, ignoring my constant attempts to struggle out of the tub, splashing water
everywhere. "I'm glad."
"You're glad?!" I repeat in disgust.
He just stares, a half smile on lips as he brushes them against mine. I have the urge to head butt him, but I'd probably do more damage to myself. Considering the fact that I accidentally banged his head against some huge rocks, and he turned out to be just fine. Shivering and pressed against the porcelain tub, I try to put on my best courageous face and bite my lower lip to keep it from trembling.
"What ... do ... you ... want."
The half teasing smile becomes a full one, and I think my heart must have burst free from my chest and run out the door. Hands wrap around my shoulders and pull me out of the bathtub to straddle his lap. I think I prefer the freezing water. Zaha's violet gaze narrows slightly as he tilts his head to the side and looks like he is considering something. I can almost hear the thoughts running through his head: 'shall I rape him and then kill him ... or kill him first?' ...neither appealed to me.
"What do you want?" I ask again, clenching my teeth to stop them from chattering.
His hand runs through the dark and damp mass of my hair before grasping tightly and pulling my head back. I'm lost for breath at the sudden pain, my
eyes widen as I stare up at the ceiling and catch sight of several candles.
Swallowing hard as his breath touches my exposed throat, I stare into the
flickering candlelight. Pulse hammering under my skin, I squeeze my eyes
shut as something hard rakes against my neck. A knife? No, it doesn't feel
like metal...is it teeth? It has to be ... and he's muttering something I can't understand. I don't understand any of this.
"I want back what belongs to me," he says finally, after several seconds.
My eyes burn with tears at the pain caused by his teeth sinking into the flesh of my throat. Real. This is real and both the coppery scent and warm
trickle down my neck is really blood. He's talking in a low voice again,
whispers in my ear that I can't distinguish. His words float around in my subconscious before he releases his grip from my hair. One by one, each candle in the bathroom is snuffed, plunging the room into darkness.
**********
"He was right," Taltmut purred against my ear, making me shudder. "Fear does
bring out beauty in you, Sorcerer Hunter."
"He?" I choke out, barely getting my voice to work.
The silver-haired Magic Engineer grins before casting his eyes over the wall I am up against to observe the others. "'Kill the Sorcerer Hunters and you will receive the power of he who is closest to God' was the deal he made
me."
I lean back to avoid the hands that have given up on opening the shirt and
are at belt buckle of my pants. Not caring that I am impaling myself further against those stone spikes. I didn't even know blood was streaming
from the corner of my mouth until I try to speak. "However, he gave me specific instructions to keep you alive."
"Me?" I gurgle. Am I dying? It certainly feels like I am.
"You'll live through this, Sorcerer Hunter," He grins. "But I did say that
I would punish the Sorcerer Hunters ... and I meant all of you."
It is when his lips descend on my mouth that I let out a scream, and in the
back of my mind I can hear him laugh. Both he and Taltmut are laughing. No, I'm not going to let this happen! Not again!
'Kill them'
A voice echoed, taking control of my fears.
'Kill them all.'
[ Author's Notes ]
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