Kurumi pov
'We're alive... We made it . My plan worked, or at least it worked partially. We didn't die, which is the most important thing . But surely we had a close encounter with death and sustained some serious injuries.'
I thought, although with difficulty due to the numbness of my body and mind . Although it was certainly just an hearing hallucinations , I heard the echo of my own thoughts and couldn't quite remember all the things I would normally remember. Everything has become confusing since the fall.
' I don't have many memories after we hit the bottom. Not only did I keep regaining and loss consciousness at that moment, but the period when I was conscious was foggy and muffled. I really took a pretty bad fall. '
I thought, lying on the cold, hard surface of our current resting place. I lay there with my eyes closed, trying my best to ignore the pain and numbness. At this moment, I was surrounded by a deafening silence, interrupted only by the hum of an old light bulb and the slow, audible turning of a rusty fan.
However, thanks to this quiet setting , I could hear calm and familiar breathing right next to me. It was the only sound that gave me peace of mind .
' However, what I do remember, and what I am certain of is that after we fell, the building that's fell with us collapsed on top of us, burying us under the rubble and pinning us down. Only thanks to the remaining clones that surrounded us , the building do not crush us beneath it. However, luck certainly played a part in this. '
' Unfortunately, we were slowly being flooded with sewage water . So because of our injuries and the building pressing down on us, we couldn't move. It was a deadly trap, and no matter what, I couldn't do anything. Not only was I barely conscious, but I couldn't move either. '
I thought, gritting my teeth when I felt that awful throbbing and excruciating pain in my legs, and that electrifying pain in my back. Unable to bear it, I let out a moan of pain and a few tears ran down my face. I tried not to move so as not to make things worse. However, in addition to that, there was also discomfort coming from my internal organs and bones.
' The impact was cushioned enough to save us from death, but that was it. We still got hit pretty hard. After all, even though clones are made of shadow, they are not soft like pillows; they have the hardness of a normal human being. So even though we landed on them, crushing them, the impact was still strong enough to take my breath away and shake my internal organs '
I thought, remembering all too well how I completely lost my breath after the impact my aura shattered and my body was shaken. I felt everything and nothing at the same time. My chest and ribs hurt with every heavy breath, as if I had broke each rib . On top of that, breathing was even more difficult because of the conditions down there.
' I was literally suffocating, unable to catch my breath. On top of that, every bone, muscle, and organ in my body screamed in pain. . I'm sure I actually ruptured an organ. My head was splitting, or maybe it actually split and bleed . Throughout that whole mess , there was only one thing that calmed me down at that moment. Neo . She was in my arms. I could barely feel her breathing. But she was there and still alive. Not only did I cushion her fall, but she still had some of her aura left to defend herself. '
I thought, clenching the hand I was holding in mine. All I have to do is move my fingers slightly to feel her pulse. That's the only thing keeping me sane. I don't even know how long I've been lying here. But I can't do anything else but lie here.
' Despite this, I still worry about her. I don't care about the condition of my body. But I can't do anything about it , I can't get up to see her. My shoulders broke on impact, and something similar happened to my back. After the fall, I couldn't feel my legs. However, I have now regained feeling in them. Probably thanks to my mutated physique. '
I thought, feeling that sensation in my legs returning. Probably my underdeveloped spirit body had begun to repair what it could. Unfortunately, this also brings with it the feeling of pain. My legs are definitely broken. The right one in at least one place. The left leg hurts only in the knee.
' My regeneration has also stopped healing me . '
I thought, feeling that nothing on my body had changed since a while . Probably only fatal wounds and open wounds were healed, leaving behind what, in theory, would not kill me . I would have to fix the rest with a fourth bullet, if I manage to use it. Thanks to it, I would turn back time of my body to heal myself. If it doesn't work out, I don't know what to do next. After all, we still have to get out of here. But I will leave that worry to my future self.
' I survive . As for Neo, she's safe now and has even been healed . '
I thought, knowing that this was the most important thing. Now we need time for Neo to wake up, and then we'll figure something out. As for how was she healed ? She was Healed in the same way we were saved. So how were we saved, how did we end up where we are? Why didn't we drown with Neo, buried under the ruins?
' The answer is a mysterious clone that I didn't create, but which brought us here, to this room that looks like a break room for workers working in the sewers. There is an air filtration and light here. '
I thought, already aware of what the presence of an unknown clone meant. But I didn't even have the strength to worry about it now. I'm just glad we're alive.
' We've been saved.... Neo is saved. '
I thought, squeezing her small hand in mine. After what I considered sufficient rest , I opened my eyes slightly and turned my head, which caused a terrible pain in my neck. Although my eyes had trouble focusing and the light irritated them quite a bit , I looked to the side to see Neo resting peacefully next to me.
She looked completely healthy after that clone fired the fourth bullet at her. That definitely saved Neo's life. Because even if Neo had survived the fall and the injuries associated with it without a body similar to mine . She definitely wouldn't have survived the infection. After all, we for sure both had open wounds, lying at the bottom of a slowly sinking sewer.
'Now, however, Neo is safe and sound, she just lost consciousness after her aura was shattered . Unlike her, I was the only one who witnessed that clone dragging us out of there, into that air-conditioned and well-lit staff room. As for the question of why the clone did not heal me? I don't know. However, the difference in treatment is obvious, as Neo even received a pillow, while I had only a cold floor.'
I thought, using my thumb to rub my pink mouse's hand. Of course I didn't hold it against her.
' Clone just ignored me . It only positioned me so that I could hold Neo, then it left a note on my stomach and walked away. However, due to my condition, I was unable to even read that note . '
I thought, closing my eyes and deciding not to think about it anymore. There's no reason to think about it right now.
'Instead, I need to focus on regaining my strength and getting us out of here . '
I thought, knowing that the pain and anxiety would not go away until it was all over. Until we got out of here, it would only get worse. We were not safe, we were far from it.
'The worst thing is that of all places, we are in this state in the Vale sewers. '
I thought, and the anxiety in my heart grew. But focused on the current situation we found ourselves in. And it was certainly bad .
' The Vale sewers... An underground tunnel system that was developed since the founding of the city of Vale and, according to some historians, existed even before that in the form of ancient underground tombs. So, the "Vale sewers" are not just sewers. They are a system of tombs, caves, underground railroad tracks, smuggling tunnels, and abandoned military complexes. It's a maze. '
I thought, aware of this subject. After all, the sewers even connect directly to our underground bunker. So I investigated the matter.
' So the Vale tunnels are old, very old. Many of them have collapsed, and even more are being built or are somewhere hidden. The city is constantly developing, the tunnels are constantly being repaired and also created . There are also smugglers as well as grimm who dig new tunnels.'
'So there are no actual or accurate maps of this place. Considering the size of the system of tunnels, reaching the entire city and even beyond it. And the depth of the system, reaching kilometers into the ground. Finding your way around is practically impossible. '
' Especially for us when we don't even know where we are at the very beginning . Freedom could be right above us, all we would have to do is blow up the ceiling. Or we also could be a kilometer underground. I don't know where this room is, so I have no idea where to go. '
I thought with concern. The situation was not good. We are injured and lost in a place like this.
' And we have no food or water. I might be able to hold out a little longer without it, but Neo can't. So we can't stay here for more than three days. The guy who sent us here knew what he was doing. He got us into this mess. '
As soon as I started worrying about supplies and the time it might take to find a way out, I also thought about the bull faunus who had brought us here.
' The Spider Syndicate is one of the groups that definitely uses the tunnels to smuggle things into the city. That's something Hei Xiong was able to confirm. So that Bull bastard knew what he was doing when he hit the street .... He must have known what was underground. So, knowing that he couldn't win, he wanted to try to take us down with a self-destructive attack. '
I thought irritably. But I tried not to get upset so as not to worsen my condition.
'As for the Grimm . They are definitely in the tunnels. They come here from old railroad tunnels that are not guarded and exit somewhere in the wilderness where the Grimm come from. Besides, they also come through underground caves.'
I thought, remembering that I had heard in the media about sewer workers who were unlucky enough to encounter a Grimm down here. Unfortunately for them, sending hunters here to clean them up is neither profitable nor safe for the hunters.
' All this should make it clear why no sane homeless person would go down here . Including me. You'll meet gangs of smugglers who will silence you so you don't reveal their routes. Or grimm who would tear you apart. '
' And even if you were lucky enough not to encounter them, all you have to do is wander off somewhere and get lost. Then no one will find you. Or just have bad luck and let the tunnel collapse on you. '
I thought, opening my eyes again. Taking a breath, I felt dust getting into my lungs, making me cough. Unfortunately, the pain caused by coughing made me gasp and whine in pain.
' I can hear the rusty fan turning, so the ventilation system is working. Unfortunately, it's not working very well. But it has to suffice. We're lucky that the lights and ventilation are still working. Without them, we would have suffocated by now. '
' Well, now that I think about it, I clearly haven't added all the toxic gases, fumes, lack of air, and darkness down here to the list of hazards. '
I thought, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Who knows what else is dangerous here. And we don't even have a flashlight. Not to mention masks or any good clothes for these conditions.
But before I could think any further, I felt movement next to me. Looking to the side, I saw Neo waking up. At first, she looked confused and distracted. Then she immediately jumped up from lying down to sitting up.