The lion-man remained as still as stone, like a great pillar, his golden hair painted orange in the morning light. The smell of blood was strong and the sounds of hundreds of small creatures scurrying in the rocks were being drawn to the succulent scent.

He paid heed to the woman's introduction and her association to the swordsman, but was concerned more with approaching crats and the eyes of the stranger that remained upon them.

It was not long before, the cloaked man, that Sin had called Zack dispatched of his foes and made his way to her side. He watched the tender scene, but he himself leant no hand and they left him there in the ruins.

The great lion-man had no fear of the crats. Despite their numbers they would not attack such a healthy and formidable opponent but they may be so bold as to stalk the man behind him. Turning casually, Stasinus looked over his shoulder and acknowledged the presence of the silent Synthecan.



"You have keen ears, my friend." Pheyd commented.

"You're just loud." Replied Stasinus.

Pheyd laughed and skipped down next the giant humanoid's side, looking at the building where the she-wolf and her saviour had retreated.

"Have you found what you have been seeking?" Inquired the lion-man in his raspy tones.

The Synthecan remained focused on the building and a slight smile curled his lips. "Perhaps." Then he turns his head upward to look at the lion-man's face, "How are you at tracking lizards?"

Zack slowly awoke his eyes seeming bloodshot now he looked around at first not seeing Sin then his pupils which had a second ago been huge suddenly shrunk to a smaller size more suitable for a human. “Sorry had I disturbed you Sin?” He knew he must have looked terrible scars over him fresh cuts across most of his bared flesh and worse yet his right arm was useless at this moment with his skin probably a pale shade from the loss of blood. He gave a weak smile to Sin. “I think I will be okay.” Zack looks out the window seeing the bright sunlight “It’s gonna be a long day.”

The Lizard Hybrid, Clarence began to trot back to inform the doctor of his failure but self preservation slowed his pace and the creature decided to take some time to weigh all of his options before committing his life to Bainbridge's judgement. Slowly he makes his way to the lab and with every step closer the doctor and his wrath he begins to consider returning and taking his chance with Zack and that bitch, Sin.

Trailing behind but well out of sight, Stasinus followed the distinct scent of the lizard-man, while Pheyd kept pace and shadowed his every movement.


Pheyd had actually been glad to see the lion-man once more. When they had lost contact with one another only a day ago he believed that he would never see the creature again but then there he was. Stasinus on the other hand had a feeling that he and the strange man from the stars would cross paths again after the sand storm had driven him into a sink hole that not even the powerful synthetic person could pull him from. Fortunately, he had descended into a network of caverns through which he was able to emerge with only a few minor cuts and bruises. It seemed to him then that fate was not yet done with either of them and so he decided to assist his new companion; the only friend he had made since he banished himself from the only world he had ever known.

Stasinus stopped and fell to the ground and Pheyd mimicked his actions. The lizard hybrid, paused for a moment, although it did not seem as if he suspected he was being followed. The creature appeared as if he were debating which way to go and was rather frustrated with his choices, and little did they realize just how accurate their assumptions were.

Zack gave a last weak smile as he watched her get back on the bed with a great yawn he let his head fall forward falling asleep once again this time emerged in darkness waiting for the moonlight he sat playing a game of shogi. (Chess) He won against an unseen opposition repeatedly his mind thinking upon tactics he noticed how the person played was only on instinct. Zack looked ahead “Brother?” This time the demon side of him sat opposite him “Yo!” Zack smiled to the demon then he realised he was enjoying the company of this thing.

“There is nothing wrong with enjoying the company of your own being.” The demon set the next match up without a glance to the board. “We work together to stay alive it has always been that way so I came to ensure you didn’t block me otherwise we will end up dead!” Zack gave a slight smirk as the demon set his reasons of negotiations Zack decided on his side of the deal. “We must protect Sin at all times even if it is day time.” The demon gave a slight hiss of annoyance at hearing the proposition. “As long as I keep you alive I don’t care just make sure it’s you who can protect her during the day.” Zack nodded in acknowledgement “Fair enough we will keep with Sin just don’t do anything I would regret when you take over.” The demon gave an innocent smile. “What if she seduces me?” Zack gave a snarl losing his composure “No you simply say NO!” Zack calmed himself all his injuries hurt and he needed the demons help.

“Zack when did we become one?” Zack looked up to his demon half speculating over this question. “I think we have been in each other since birth but you protected me from the horrors it was you who was born first I am the parasite who was granted a chance to live.” The demon smiled holding out his hand. “Indeed you would have been too soft for the horrors which we have been through I covered your eyes for a lot of your time shame you remembered.” Zack gave a sigh “explains that nightmare I had then.” The demon nodded. “I wanted to tell you, someone had watched your fight and is being led to the doctor this could mean the doctor could hire him.” They had continued playing shogi during this conversation when suddenly Zack took checkmate. “We will devise a plan when we come to that situation.”

His conversation finished with the demon in his dream he pulled out of it finding to his great shock she had gone. He stood slowly he walked towards the door seeing it slightly ajar he began to walk out. He walked down the corridor he went in each room searching them for useful items. He stopped at what he thought to be a normal room but it had been raided he looked around noticing the toilet door open and the smell of…..blood.

Zack cautiously approached he had left his claymore in the other room getting to the door he took a peak in seeing Sin on the floor he carefully walked into the tiled interior of the bathroom wondering whether she was in another memory but then seeing the first aid kit strewn across the floor he gave a small sigh he should have removed the bullet but he remembered his eye sight had been dimming and it would have been impossible in his state. He collected the pieces of the kit zipping it up it could be useful for later. He went over to Sin’s side checking temperature and inspected the wound for signs of infection but she had carried the procedure correctly leaving no need for extra care from Zack but he knew they may have to move soon for fear of being inside another bugged house.

He kneeled down picking the bullet from the floor. “Nasty things these.” He sat down next to her thinking how he could pick her up when shaking her lightly finding no reaction he decided it would be best to leave her the dark rings round her eyes told him she was tired he would never have told her face to face but picking up the kit sticking it in a back pocket he devised a fireman’s lift for his one good arm he began to carry her back to the room being careful to not put any stess upon the leg.

Zack can only smile as he looks down to his right arm already knowing what had gone wrong inside of him. “It’s a snapped tendon and shattered joint I landed on it to heavily and it snapped backwards.” He sat down next to her looking to her leg. “You did a very good job of removing the bullet and cleaning the wound his mind being tantalized by the sight of her thigh he quickly took his eyes off her it was bad men were women deprived but discipline had to be used. He stood up giving a tender poke at his ribs as well grimacing.

Zack walked over to his coat rooting deep inside he pulled a photo from a pocket smiling as it was a photo of him actually smiling he walked back to Sin handing her the photo. “A present.” He gave a full smile feeling slightly better than his weak self he lay back on the bed staring up at the ceiling. “I wonder what he will send next?”

“Worse bah he it can’t get worse I was just ill prepared when Carl came and I had to think around the box.” Hearing they would leave in an hour he decided indeed it was time for a nap he could hear the demon chuckling as night approached. Zack wraps his arm around her resting his chin on her head his eyes closing he fell to sleep the most ironic thoughts of whether he snored stuck in his mind.

Zack’s nap was short lived he jolted awake when Sin moved he wasn’t used to being touched when sleeping so he decided it would be best to simply stay awake he found himself looking upon far wall of the box room wondering if they should search the house.

Zack smiled back to her to her surprise all the small cuts were gone he did not wince from the ribs and she realised he was holding her with his bad arm. “I am fine we overslept by an extra hour.” He looked into her eyes seeing at first happiness then sorrow of how she had talked about the comfort they were feeling but she was right.

“Come on up an at them!” quickly giving a small peck of a kiss on her cheek she blushed standing up he realising his actions might cause certain attitudes he gave a weak excuse of a smile to her as an apology if he had done wrong still holding her hand in his. “Milady would like to stand.” Zack took a comical bow for her ‘ladyship’ at her standing.