Chapter 99: The Polluted Zone Collapsing
Ren barely reacted. He was stunned for a moment, then turned stiffly to look at the mutant who had fallen nearby.
"There’s a healing pod here," Kaworu on the ground repeated, "It’s close. I can take you there."
In an instant, Ren grasped all the implications of those words.
This used to be a bustling town, heavily fortified with military presence, and thus, equipped with medical facilities like the healing pods. Now, as the Polluted Zone had collapsed, everything here had reverted to its state from four centuries ago. If the healing pod was nearby, and they could find it, then there might still be a flicker of hope for Kestrel.
Ren quickly turned his head to look at Kestrel in his arms. In that moment, his heart pounded so hard it felt like it was about to explode out of his chest. He tore off his glove and touched Kestrel’s face with his bare fingers, fearing she might have already turned cold, into a lifeless body.
Kestrel’s skin was still warm in his arms, still holding a slight heat. Her breath was there too, so pale, but the soft puff of air brushed against Ren’s fingers.
Ren wanted to thank Kestrel. He was grateful for her being alive. She had saved him multiple times and helped him countless times, but Ren had never felt this intense gratitude for her before. He was thankful that she had not passed away and that she was willing to stay in this world.
During his imprisonment in the crimson egg, he had experienced terrifying illusions. The core of those illusions was formed by Kestrel and her tendrils. The Kestrel in that place was even more tormenting than a demon, so Ren felt a fear for Kestrel after regaining his consciousness.
But now, he felt that as long as Kestrel was alive and willing to keep living, it didn’t matter what form she took.
Ren tied Kestrel to himself and picked up the mutant who was left with only a torso and a head, and began climbing the collapsing cave wall. He didn’t understand why this mutant would offer to help when just a short while ago, they were fighting each other to the death.
But it didn’t matter. If there was a shred of hope, he wouldn’t overthink and would strive to seize it.
Time was of the essence, and Ren was racing against death itself.
He summoned his orca. The psychic incarnation that was previously too weak to maintain a physical form silently manifested its large figure. It let out a cry, sturdily carrying everyone, and sped off.
Under Kaworu’s guidance, they quickly found the treatment room. Everything was well-preserved here. Time seemed to have been frozen once. The healing pod was as good as new, just like it was four hundred years ago, capable of saving lives teetering on the edge of death.
Ren gently placed Kestrel into the pod and attached a breathing mask to her. His finger was shaking violently as he tried to press the closure button. His blood-stained finger fumbled twice before he was finally able to press the tiny button successfully.
The lid of the healing pod closed, and green healing fluid began to flow out slowly, submerging the delicate figure lying within.
The control panel lit up. The heart rate data was still weakly present.
"Do we have Regeneration Fluid No. 233?"
The mutant lying on the floor asked.
He rummaged through the medicine cabinet and found it.
"Yes."
"Good luck. That’s the most expensive medicine. Use it on her. It could save her life."
Ren remembered this medicine. The last time, it was him lying in the healing pod. He heard Kestrel outside the healing pod telling the doctor about this medicine, telling him to use it on him.
The green healing fluid slowly filled the entire healing pod. Under Kaworu’s guidance, Ren carefully adjusted all the settings and administered the necessary medication.
On the life signs monitor, all bodily indicators were dangerously low – a faint heartbeat, alarmingly low blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels.
But they were slowly improving. Kestrel was gradually being pulled back from the gate to hell.
She seemed to be in a deep sleep. Her eyes were closed, her face peaceful, her body floating in the soft green liquid. A golden heart-shaped necklace had slipped out from her chest and was floating in the water.
"Now, you can kill me," Kaworu, who was lying on the ground, said. He had no hands or legs, only a head and torso remained. But where his limbs had been cut off, golden roots were growing, sprouting small buds and expanding slowly. He wasn’t human, yet he retained memories from when he was. He didn’t want to live, but he couldn’t die.
"You saved her," Ren said. "I won’t hurt you."
Kaworu, wearing the golden mask, calmly stated, "What your queen wants is me."
"Chop off my head, kill me completely, and my body will turn to gold. Bring it back and give it to your queen. You’ll get the reward you want."
"A reward? How do you know about the queen’s reward?" Ren asked.
"I’m a beta... I was once a beta," Kaworu said. "When I woke up at night, I heard endless voices of desire."
"So many of you came here, so many lives were lost. Isn’t it for this?"
"Now I’m giving it to you, take it. Use your sword."
He was lying on the ground, his voice indifferent, his tone cold, his heart free and devoid of interest in life. Yet, beneath his mask, his gaze was constantly fixed on the healing pod, on the golden heart-shaped pendant floating in the fluid.
Kaworu was poised for the inevitable end. He had seen Ren handle the blade, quick and freezing cold. It could easily cut off his head, ending his awful and miserable life.
Even though he realized death may not grant him peace, he was too drained to think about it. He wasn’t bothered about who would claim his body or what they’d use it for.
He longed to shut his eyes, but he couldn’t resist one final glimpse at the golden heart-shaped pendant before his demise.
