The silence of the truck was interrupted by the gruff voice of Sir Ladec, "We've almost arrived at Point C. Get ready to disembark and greet the locals."
I turned my head to look out the window, and saw that we were approaching the gates of the town. The guards had their weapons ready, and their eyes scanned the convoy.
"State your business!" One of them shouted, as the truck stopped.
Sir Ladec opened the window and showed his badge, "We're from the ADF. We have supplies for the town."
The guard nodded and waved at the other guards, who opened the gates. "Welcome to Point C. You can park your vehicles at the designated area. The mayor will meet you there."
Sir Ladec closed the window and drove the truck into the town. I could see the buildings, the streets, the people... Everything seemed normal, except for the fact that there were no children. Only adults, and some elderly. It was strange.
"This is not the same town I remember..." Ootaea muttered, looking out the window as well. "It's so... different."
"Different how?" I asked, curious about her opinion.
"Well, it's... Cleaner, for one. And there are less people. Also, the atmosphere is... I don't know, tense? Like something is wrong." She said, frowning a bit.
I couldn't agree more. There was something off about this place, something that made me uneasy. "Perhaps it's the lack of kids, or the lack of noise. It's too quiet."
"Yeah, that's part of it. But there's more. I can't put my finger on it... The smell! It's not the same, the usual smell of this town is gone. It's like..." She grimaced, covering her nose. "Like something is rotting."
I sniffed the air, and noticed that she was right. There was a faint stench of decay in the wind, and it made my stomach churn. "Ugh, you're right. This is not normal."
"What do you think is causing it?" She asked, looking at me with worry.
Hell if I know? Is she asking me for advice now? "I'm not sure... Maybe it's just the garbage? Or the sewers? Or... Something worse?" I suggested, not wanting to think of the worst-case scenario.
She looked down at the ground, not saying anything. I could tell she was scared.
Putting my fingers against my chin, I think I have a good way to lighten up the mood. I reached out and patted her on the head, trying to comfort her. "Hey, don't worry. We're here to help, remember? Whatever it is, we'll deal with it. Together." Damn... I felt embarassed at saying such words, it almost felt like I'm trying to be the hero of the day. That's not like me...
"Right... Thanks, Doffy. You're a good friend." She smiled, leaning into my touch.
Something about that smile, the way it didn't reach her eyes, made me think that she didn't really believe me. But I pretended not to notice, and smiled back. "No problem, Ootaea."
We arrived at the designated area, a large square with a fountain in the center. Sir Ladec parked the truck, and we got off, along with the others. Leurnim looked around, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"This place gives me the creeps... It's like a ghost town." He whispered, keeping his voice low.
"Hey, what did I say? Don't say things like that, it's bad luck." Ootaea scolded him, crossing her arms.
"Sorry, sorry. But you have to admit, it's weird." He said, raising his hands in defense.
Before we could continue our banter, a man approached us. He was wearing a fancy suit, and had a well-groomed beard. He also had a badge on his chest, indicating that he's of some importance in this town.
"Hello, I am Mayor Erald. Welcome to Point C. I'm glad you could make it." He greeted us, extending his hand.
Sir Ladec shook his hand, "Thank you for your hospitality. I'm Sir Ladec, leader of this convoy. We have the supplies you requested."
"Excellent. Let me show you to the warehouse where you can store them. Then, I have a matter to discuss with you, if you don't mind." Mayor Erald said, Sir Ladec nodded.
"Alright, soldiers! You know what to do. Unload the supplies and take your time to relax. You deserve it." He commanded, and we all saluted, confirming our orders.
We then followed Mayor Erald to the warehouse, a large building that was guarded by two armed men. They let us pass, and we entered the building. It was mostly empty, with only a few crates and barrels inside. We placed the supplies in the far corner, and then went back outside.
"Thank you for your cooperation. Now, I would like to ask you a favor." Mayor Erald said, his voice serious.
"What is it?" Sir Ladec asked.
"As you may have noticed, our town is not in the best condition. We have been having some... Problems." He then leaned to Ladec's ear and whispered some words I could not hear.
Sir Ladec's face turned grim, and he nodded. "I see... Don't worry, we'll take care of it." He said, turning to us.
"Alright, rookies and veterans, we have a new mission. Follow me, and prepare your weapons. We're going to hunt down an Amalgamate."
I don't even have the energy to be surprised anymore. I just sighed and grabbed the gun that Ootaea gave me, checking the bullets. It still had some ammo left, so I was good.
"Hunt an Amalgamate?" Stiffening up her body, Ootaea seemed to start thinking.
Perhaps thinking the same as I was. 'Is that where the smell is coming from?'
"Yeah, apparently there's one roaming around the outskirts of the town. It's been causing some trouble for the locals, so we need to get rid of it." Sir Ladec explained, loading his rifle.
Leurnim whistled, "Oh boy, here we go again. I hope this one is not as weird as the last one."
"Now, we won't be together for this search, considering the size of the outskirts. Everyone will go to their designated spot. We'll meet back here once we have found it." He continued, looking at a map.
"Shouldn't we stick together? It's safer that way." Ootaea suggested, looking nervous.
"No, we'll cover more ground this way. Besides, we're all capable soldiers, right? You all have weapons, you know how to fight. Don't worry, we'll be fine." Sir Ladec reassured her, patting her on the back. "Now, here are your sectors."
He handed us each a piece of paper with a map of the area and a marked location. Mine was a forest area, not too far from the town. Ootaea's was a rocky terrain, and Leurnim's was a field.
Just my damn luck. A forest is the territory of beasts, much like the Metalhearts. I'd rather not tangle with those again, but it's either that or a court martial for disobeying orders. "Alright, get to your positions, and be careful. We don't know what we're dealing with here. Report any sightings or encounters immediately, and try to neutralize the target with extreme caution." He finished, and we all nodded.
...
As I made my way to the forest, I tried to calm my nerves. I was alone, but is it really going to be fine? This shaking in my hands won't go away, I feel like I'm going to drop this gun. I'm not even sure if I can shoot it properly, I've only fired it a few times back there. And that Amalgamate was nothing like the one we fought before.
Let alone the fact that... They speak to me. I felt the sweat on my brow. I'm not scared, I'm just... Anxious? Perhaps.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Focus on the mission, that's what I need to do.
I reached the edge of the forest, and looked around. It was dense, with trees and bushes everywhere. The sun was setting, casting long shadows on the ground. The smell of rot was stronger here than ever before.
Did people die? Was it those children? The ones Ootaea used to live with? Or perhaps another group of people entirely. A town this big must have had many people. Maybe they're all dead. But for some reason... That's hard to believe.
I took a deep breath, and entered the forest, my gun ready in my hand. I walked slowly, listening for any sounds. The birds were quiet, the insects were silent. It was as if the whole forest was holding its breath.
I don't know how long I've been walking, but I hadn't seen any sign of the Amalgamate. Maybe it was not here, maybe it was in another sector. I hoped so.
I was about to turn back, when I heard a noise. A crackle, like a twig breaking. I froze, and pointed my gun in the direction of the sound.
Could this be it? Was it hunting me silently? Was it just a rabbit?
I stayed still for a few seconds, and then I heard it again. It was closer, and louder. Something was moving in the bushes.
I gulped, and decided to make the first move. "Who's there? Show yourself!" I shouted, trying to sound brave. I was met with silence.
Damn it, I don't want to go towards it, but I have to. I slowly moved forward, my gun pointed ahead. The bushes rustled, and I braced myself for an attack.
Only that I was met with... A cow.
It was a cow, staring at me with its big eyes. It had a bell around its neck, and it made a low mooing sound.
I sighed in relief, lowering my gun. "Oh, it's just you. You scared me, you know that?" I said, chuckling.
The cow didn't move, and just kept looking somewhere behind me... Wait, behind me?
I turned around, and saw another cow; behind the first one. This one was a bit different, though. It was... Skinny, almost like its skin was being stretched. Its fur was patchy, and its eyes were bloodshot. It also had a bell, but it wasn't making any sound.
But even then, that cow did not stare directly at me. The second cow just... Looked at the first cow. And then the first cow, looked at the second cow.
...Was I interrupting a mating call? I was not about to see this. "Sorry to disturb you two, I'll just, uhh... leave." I said, backing away from them.
But as I did, I noticed something. Something about the trees, they gave off an odor of flesh, the same smell I noticed before entering the forest. My curiosity was piqued, and I approached one of them. It was a normal tree, nothing special about it. But as I looked closer, I noticed between the cracks in the bark... An eye?
"Heugh... Birth..." The tree spoke with the voice of a man. An eye in the middle of the tree staring into my soul. "Laws... Of Flesh, you must... Learn, your... Cow, does not... Have... A... Mother."
Is this some sort of fungus? Some sort of parasite? The tree was writhing as the eye moved around the bark. "What... Are you...? Who... Are you?" I asked, my gun pointed at it.
"I am... the son of Flesh... The forest of flesh. The tree of flesh. I am... not yet a person. I must... Grow... I must... Protect my mother."
Your mother? I don't see anything other than the cows here, and those cows don't seem to have a mother... Or a father, for that matter.
To say I was afraid would be an understatement, I was terrified. My hands were shaking, and I felt a cold sweat running down my back. I have to get out of here, before this thing gets any bigger.
"U-uh... Okay, I'll leave you alone, then. Sorry for disturbing you." I said, backing away slowly, my gun still pointed at the tree, its eye following my movements.
"No... You... Must... Stay. You must... join us... Become... Flesh." It said, and then more eyes appeared on the other trees, and on the ground, and on the bushes. They all were looking at me, and I felt a chill down my spine.
"No... No, I don't want to become flesh. I'm fine the way I am." I said, my voice slightly trembling.
"Yes... You... Will. You... Cannot... Escape. The flesh... is everywhere... We are everywhere... You are... One of us."
I then began to think... Are these trees of flesh... Amalgamates? If they are, then the whole forest is a threat, and I need to report it... But how can I escape? The trees were surrounding me, and I couldn't see a clear path out.
The cow that was behind me then walked forward and stood beside me, proceeding to pounce and lick my hand. "Moo..." It spoke trying to reassure me.
Am I going insane? A cow is comforting me? "What...? Do you want me to... What? Pet you?" I asked, confused and scared. "What the hell is going on here?"
"Pet... Cow." The cow then said, and I stared at it.
Is this a trick? Should I pet it? Will it attack me if I do? I don't know what to do...
I decided to take a chance, and slowly moved my hand towards its head. It didn't move nor flinch, and I gently stroked its fur. It was coarse and dry, and I could feel the bones underneath.
After a minute, I'd stop and look back to the trees - Only to notice that the eyes were gone. Were the cows a means of distraction? "Okay... I'm going to go now. Thank you for the... Moment." I said, and the cow mooed again. I was about to walk away, but then it followed me.
"Hey, what are you doing? Stay here, don't follow me." I told it, but it ignored me and kept walking beside me. "Fine, whatever. Just don't get in my way."
I started to run, trying to find a way out of this cursed forest. The cow ran with me.
I never knew cows could run this fast...
We ran through the trees, the ground, the bushes, and soon, I found myself in the middle of the forest; A light emanated from the sky, and I realized it was an opening. A clearing.
I slowed down to look at what was in-front of me.
Blood. Corpses. Heads.
And a single man at the center of it all. He had found himself before the corpse of an amalgamate. His eyes fixated on the writhing pile of flesh and maggots. They seemed miserable... almost, the redness in his eyes… was it because he was crying, it seems unlikely… Though I could not tell apart any particular emotion from his expression akin to that, at least not in any discernable way. "One..."
He spoke with voice that hinted at exhaustion, not continuing for a brief moment of silence, which would be interrupted by the sound of a droplet near him, and then, "Four..." ... "Five ... Eight... Thirteen..." The now familiar sound of monotonous counting had repeated itself several times, while the man kept looking at something I was unable to see.
His breathing hinted that he wanted to continue, but did not resume his counting. He then stared at me, noticing my presence… Much as if I was nothing but prey.
I turned to the cow behind me, but it was gone.
This sight of corpses; human and amalgamate, writhing with the presence of maggots...
This was the presence of the rotting atmosphere. Those humans were the people of this town. Much like a Psychedelic haze, this sight was distorted and dizzy, and the maggot-like Amalgamate was convulsing as if it were trying to pull itself back together.
The melody of death from here on, would continue, and the song of the cows would not stop. And all the while, the man in the center would stay.