Seventh Ring
Part 9: Deja Vu
New Earth, 418 A.C. (After Contact)
<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>[/b]

“These wounds have healed up quite nicely.” Two lifted Seven's real arm and dabbed a glowing glob of green goo just below his ribs where a large, deep gash had been.

“No kidding. I've never healed so quickly from a fight before. What is that stuff?” Seven lowered his arm as Two screwed the lid back on the small bottle. The ointment burned at first, then felt cool and tingly.

“It's called Regeneryn. As the name suggests, it's an extremely powerful regeneration component that only the elite have access to. While it's most typically found in the homes of those that are far older than William, he likes to use it to keep his fighters in good health. And of course, keep them fighting more frequently since the heal time is so quick. That's why he expects you to be back in the Ring in seven days.” Two placed the bottle of ointment in a shoulder bag he primarily used to carry all of his supplies. It looked like a medical supply bag that a medic would sport on a battle field.

“I barely even have scars,” muttered Seven as he poked at his chest and abdomen. As soon as he was sure his check-up was complete, he stood from his mattress and stretched his arms above his head. He no longer had to wear his bandages or stay cooped up in his room. “So am I good to go, Doc?”

Two raised his brow. Doc? “I think you're ready to work, yes. Just take it easy the next few days and don't overdo it. Your wounds may be healed, but your body still needs time to regain its energy and strength. The Regeneryn only helped your cells regenerate--your body still did all the hard work.”

“You got it.” Seven swung his arms across his chest and behind his back forcefully. It helped to stretch his muscles and test their range of motion. He felt great. “Any idea where Three is?”

“I believe he's with Lucas and Six getting some breakfast.” Two continued to pack up his things, then stood to join him. “This way.”

Together, they left the barn. It was a great relief for Seven to not have to rely on Two's assistance in getting around anymore. He was grateful to the other alien for all of his help. He hoped, in some way, he knew what it meant to him without it having to be said. It was the first genuine kindness he'd encountered that didn't feel forced since he'd been brought to this planet.

Two led him towards a small picnic table that was situated just outside of the Drudge's barn and faced the house. As soon as Seven had greeted Three, Two continued his walk up the road to the house without saying goodbye.

“Well well well! Look who it is. It's been a while, boy, how you holding up?” Three was seated at the table with eating utensils in both hands, but no food. Seven looked at Lucas, who did not acknowledge him. His nose was buried in his own personal communicator while his fingers pecked rapidly at holographic letters.

“I'm alive. And hungry. What's for breakfast?” Seven sat down next to Three and across from Lucas.

“Beats me, I've been waiting here a while. I sent Six up to the house to help Ari, but they haven't been back yet.” His stomach growled right on cue. Seven then realized Three had fastened a napkin-bib to his shirt in preparation for the meal. “I'm afraid I'm too famished to go find out what the hold up is. Maybe...?”

“Sure, I guess I can check on them.” He shook his head at Three, amused, then stood.

“Oh, can you tell Ari not to forget the apple butter? Thanks pal.” Three licked his bulldog-like lips and smiled in anticipation.

Seven continued to swing his arms back and forth to loosen them up as he made his way towards the house. He could smell whatever Ari was preparing through the open windows that leaked the wonderful scent out into the farmyard. Seven had to admit that the humans did prepare some very tasty meals.

He was barely within eyesight of the back porch that lead to the kitchen when a frightened scream broke the quiet morning silence. Startled, his ears went to work to try and find where it had come from. Without hesitation, he started to run towards the house, his eyes scanning the area for signs of danger and a reason for the scream.

“Six, be careful!” he heard Ari say as he hopped over a small row of bushes that separated the yard from the path that led to the back porch. A familiar tray lay face down on the grass while the items it previously supported were strewn about on the steps and ground around it. Ari was standing at the bottom of the stairs while Six paced just ahead of her, his scaly dreadlocks and back hackles raised aggressively. In front of him was something Seven instantly recognized. A Cerasaur.

He dashed forward when he saw the reptile swing its tail towards them. For obvious reasons, Seven knew this could not be the same Cerasaur he had faced in the Ring. The attack just barely missed Six as the smaller alien jumped out of the way. Seven knew that Six was no match for the Cerasaur and could not attack it, but he could deflect it from attacking Ari and possibly lead it away. The Cerasaur, however, seemed more keen on attacking what it viewed as the weakest being in its path—and it wasn't Six.

“Over here!” Six shouted with a hiss as he tried to distract the Cerasaur, but its attention was entirely on Ari now, and she knew it. She immediately began to back away when she saw it advance, though her heel caught the first step of the stairs and she stumbled backwards with a thud. Her hands immediately found the ground and fumbled to find some sort of weapon. Her nervous fingers closed around the stem of a fork, then the knife that it had been paired with on the tray before she'd dropped it. She raised it in front of her and started to back her way up the steps as the Cerasaur parted its jaws and released an ear-piercingly loud screech.

Seven immediately threw himself between Ari and her potential attacker when Six's attempt at a distraction had failed. The Cerasaur hissed when he got in the way and raised its clawed fingers at him. This Cerasaur was much larger than the one he'd fought and was covered with more horns and barbs. The two predators locked eyes and Seven suddenly felt himself back in the Ring again. Ari stood slowly behind him, knife in hand, and watched as the Vesuleum in his arm began to glow.

“Stay behind me,” he said protectively to her as the Cerasaur attempted to circle around him to get to her. “Six, get help!”

Six nodded and hopped off in the direction of the picnic table. Seven slowly started to move away from the porch with Ari following closely behind him, matching his steps. She did as he said and kept herself out of sight of the Cerasaur the best she could. Seven growled when his enemy took a step closer to him, then backed away. It was testing him and his dominance.

Ari suddenly felt Seven's back bump into her as the Cerasaur threw its tail out at him like a whip that it aimed right at his face. He ducked and weaved, always keeping her behind him and never allowing the enemy a clear shot at her. With as much as he wanted to advance, attack the Cerasaur straight on as he normally would, he knew he could not leave her unprotected and vulnerable. If one Cerasaur was attacking them, who was to say there weren't more nearby? And if he was somehow defeated should he go on the offensive, it left her alone. Seven swung his robotic hand out multiple times, fingers splayed and claws reaching for the Cerasaur's throat. He wasn't trying to grab it this time, only harm it or potentially scare it off. But his plan failed.

“Watch out!” Ari yelled as the Cerasaur snarled and leaped high into the air. Seven had to act fast. He turned quickly, scooped Ari up in his arms, then jumped out of the way before the enemy could land on them. Seven had stood his ground the first time he'd faced that same attack move in the Ring, but knew a lot more was at risk if he tried it again.

After landing in a crouch with Ari safely tucked away against him, he lifted his head just long enough to see the Cerasaur charging forward at them. Ari, still clutching the small knife she'd stolen from the spilled tray, spoke quickly. “Here, use this!”

Seven took the knife from her with his robotic hand and stood, leaving her to sit on the ground at his feet. He quickly flipped the knife so his fingers held the blade, then whipped it in the direction of their charging enemy. The knife sliced the air unnaturally fast thanks to the mildly activated Vesuleum burst he'd received when he grabbed Ari and got her out of the way. The Cerasaur screamed in pain as the blade buried itself squarely in its shoulder. Seven never was one for throwing weapons, but at least it stopped the charge and caused some damage.

The Cerasaur rotated its head and opened its mouth. It fought to try and remove the deeply lodged blade, but struggled to get a hold on it with its teeth. Ari took this time to stand quickly and hide behind Seven again as Six appeared in the distance near the house. Both she and Seven were relieved to see Lucas and Three join him.

“There it is, shoot shoot!” Six jumped up and down, pointing, while Lucas stopped and pulled out a pistol from his waist. He expertly aimed at the Cerasaur's head, but missed his shot when the beast decided to bolt for the woods that surrounded the back of the house when it realized Seven's reinforcements had arrived. Seven took a few steps towards the direction it had fled in a plan to pursue it, but stopped when he thought about leaving Ari behind. The Vesuleum glowed in his arm, tempting him to go and to fight so he could feel the rush of adrenaline and release of the Vesuleum's numbing abilities, but the sight of the small human girl standing alone behind him kept him back. He snarled as Six, Three, and Lucas rushed towards them.

“Ari, you okay?” said Lucas. His gun was still drawn defensively and his expression was serious and concerned. He was already in the process of following the Cerasaur's escape route without waiting for a response.

“Yeah, I'm okay,” she said quickly, her hands and arms trembling with both fear and her own adrenaline as she peeked out from behind Seven. “Be careful in there, Lucas!”

“I will, don't worry. Seven, can you look after her for me while we hunt this thing down?” Three finally caught up to Lucas while Six hopped on ahead in pursuit of the fleeing Cerasaur. Seven and Ari then noticed the enormous wrench the heavily panting Three had brought with him to use as a club. No doubt something he'd grabbed from a vehicle he'd been working on shortly before his arrival.

“We're gonna lose it, come on!” heaved Three as he skipped the formalities of checking on the two that had been attacked. They looked fine to him.

“I'll keep her safe,” promised Seven as he watched Lucas nod in thanks and run after Three. His bare chest rose and fell quickly as he clenched both of his fists into tight balls. His eyes narrowed as he watched them disappear between the trees.

Seven stood motionless from his place in front of Ari for several minutes. His senses had gone to work immediately as he tried to listen for any sounds that may tell him whether or not they had caught the Cerasaur. He could hardly hear footsteps anymore – just the sound of the soft, cool morning breeze weaving between the leaves of the trees that framed the yard. His mind was so engaged in what he was doing that he internally jumped when Ari's hands wrapped around the still tensed flesh of his left arm. He turned to look over his shoulder at her. Her eyes seemed to be pleading with him.

“We should go inside, just in case...” she said in almost a whisper, as if the Cerasaur would hear her and come charging back. He stared at her for a moment as her still trembling fingers kept their grip on his arm. Her touch was always so gentle and careful, as if she planned every point of pressure and caress of skin. He was reminded of the day she'd introduced him to Marge -- the horse that liked to shake hands with her teeth. After that encounter, Ari had grabbed his hand without thinking, without hesitation, and without fear of what he may say or do. He looked at her hands on his arm, then back to her.

“I won't let anything happen to you,” he said calmly, his eyes still watching her grip. Her fingers were so small. “But sure, let's get you inside.”

Ari swallowed nervously, then smiled. Her eyes left his and scanned the surrounding area when she realized she'd been staring at him for too long. Her thin fingers slipped from his arm as he turned to escort her back to the house. The Vesuleum had stopped glowing, but his senses remained on high alert.

“Aren't you going to come in?” Ari looked at Seven after she had opened the porch door and entered the kitchen. She watched as he stood motionless just beyond the screen of the door.

“No, I think it's best I stay out here.” Seven looked over Ari's head suspiciously, his eyes scanning the kitchen for something that may suggest someone else was in the house or watching them. The last time he'd entered William's home, he hadn't walked out on his own. “I'll wait right here until they come back, though.”

Seven's attention flickered back to Ari when she nodded. He noticed she still seemed nervous, only now, she also seemed...disappointed? It was still difficult for him to read human emotions and facial expressions. Her eyes appeared sad and her hands still trembled. She leaned against the door as if to close it, but the sound of a gun shot echoing across the field and into the house made her stop immediately. Seven whipped around to stare out across the field as crows took flight from a group of trees in the middle of the woods. No doubt they were near the location of the gun that cried out.

Help!

The plea was faint, but both Ari and Seven had heard it. Neither could match the voice. Seven dashed down the steps and looked into the distance. He could still hear someone yelling for help.

“Go!” yelled Ari from behind the screened door. Her tone did not suggest that she was giving him permission to leave her, but more an order for him to go and answer the cry for help. Seven hesitated, but when he looked at her, he realized that for once, he could read her expression; determination. He nodded and began a quick run towards the woods in the direction of the crows. Ari waited until he had vanished between the trees before she closed and locked the door behind her.

---

Artwork, Characters, and Story © Quaylak