Chapter 40 - From the Ashes
- 7 Months Later -
Rumor had spread of a small Romanian village, some consider it's quaint style of life outdated and simplistic; however, to those bold enough to approach the minister of the land would find fertile soils and untouched forest at their disposal.
Many of the souls that flock back to the land once called squalor are those claiming to have lost their family and homes to satanic flesh-devouring creatures but when the minister arrived the creatures suddenly vanished and he began rebuilding alongside the nobles who refused to abandoned their home.
Rumor has also lead many to believe that the protectors of these lands and the residents who turn to them for sanctuary, redemption, and thrive are not human yet none of the residents will comment on this tale weather it be annoyance over such nonsense or maybe a deeper loyalty.
Regardless to the why and how, the once ruined village was now rising from the ashes, the dead silence replaced by a call to action.
From the castle a soul wearing a trench coat, a large rimmed hat, black glasses, and sporting a majestic beard stepped out the courtyard gate and locked it behind him. He coughed and stepped back and picked up his walking cane, this soul radiated Father Mendez vibes but with a smaller beard and less rustic.
This soul was in fact Minister Y/n, the founding father of this rebuilt village. Y/n wasn't fully recovered but he was at least able to walk and breath on his own now but it seemed something was still wrong internally. Y/n walked through the frost and snow towards the village and was greeted by a familiar face who had been a pinnacle part of the rebuilding process.
Duke: Good morning M'lord, how are you feeling this today?
Y/N: Good morning Duke, been better but feeling good. Any word on that lumber shipment?
Duke: Within the week M'lord, Father Johns was actually looking for you today.
Y/N: Yes I heard, he's been looking for me for a awhile now... I'll see you tonight for drinks.
Duke: Sounds delightful M'lord, till then.
Duke then shut the doors of his wagon as Y/n travelled into the village. the once desolate war zone occupied only by beasts and the volatile mold was now occupied by simple folk. farmers, veterinarians, loggers, carpenters, and the such all working together to rebuild what was once lost.
As Y/n walked through the village he was greeted graciously regardless of his odd inhuman appearance, it may have been an awkward start but once Y/n shown the people what his intent was they quickly warmed up to his assistance and leadership.
Farmer: Good morning Minister.
Y/N: Good morning.
The farmer walked his cattle down the road as he passed Y/n, the sound of hammers on wood and chatter amongst neighbors was a beautiful change of pace for what Y/n had gone through months ago.
Y/N: Good morning Lana, how are we doing today?
Lana, an older African American woman nearing her early 40's, was tending to a man in crutches and laughs as Y/n approaches her clinic.
Lana: Resources are limited right now but the Duke said he might be able to converse with our... audience?
Y/N: Ah, he jokes too much but I know what he means. I'll see about getting more medicine in as soon as possible. Otherwise?
Lana: As long as people stop falling off rooftops while putting up shingles... Yes besides a cold going around with the children, everyone will be fine.
Y/N: That's what I like to hear, keep up the good work Lana.
Y/n continued his walk through the village, even passing by a small grove of freshly planted vegetables where he saw a group of three children pass a ball amongst each other until it rolls to far near Y/n's feet. The kids looked to him, a tall towering figure with dark eyes looming there but they smiled when Y/n picked up the ball and smiled as he tossed it back.
Child: Спасибо министр (Thank you Minister)
Y/N: Веселитесь, дети (Have fun kids)
The children ran off to go play as Y/n laughed, his laughter quickly turned to coughing as he leaned on his cane for support as he endured the coughing fit until it eventually calmed down. He cleared his throat and spit out a milky white substance into the mud and snow.
Y/N: Ugh... What I wouldn't give for a bottle of cough syrup right now...
Y/n adjusted his hat looking up at the church where Father Johns resides, his expression was a callous and stern look as he began to stomp his way up the hill.
Y/n approached the church and pushed open the doors leading into your standard church interior: long rows of pews, an altar for morning sermons, stained glass windows depicting biblical events and Father Johns standing before a row of candles.
Father Johns: Good day Minister Y/n, I see you got my message.
Y/N: Hard to miss it when you tell everyone in town you want to see me... Is there an emergency I should be aware of?
Father Johns: A small one at least, you see... As I told you I am one of few who were willing to move back into this place full knowing it's dark, bloody history...
Y/N: And?
Y/n limped over to pew in the front row as he took a seat and watched Father Johns or Brian Johns, a late 20's white man dressed in the usual black and white pastors robes.
Father Johns stands in the light cast through the stained glass, looking up at a glass portrait of crucified Jesus and has yet to look at Y/n even once.
Father Johns: I watched my own brother get torn apart, I never did find my niece after the carnage... and anyone who would listen to that story figured me a drunk who got lost on the road...
Y/N: I don't mean to sound rude Father but does this story have a moral?
Father Johns: Ironically, in my despair and trauma I found solace at the bottom of a bottle, turned into the rambling drunk everyone figured I was... But now I'm 3 months sober...
Y/N: Sober since you arrived, I'm glad to hear you can find strength here-
Father Johns: I have and I haven't Minister...I see the faith in our community and as a man of faith that makes me proud; however, those monsters arrived overnight as if carried by the wind and they created such chaos and mayhem but... Then they just... vanish and you take their place...
Y/N: Take their place?
Father Johns: Forgive my forwardness Minister... But you're clearly not human, not anymore at least... So that makes me itch, are you the kinda creature who will save us or bring us to ruin once more?
Father Johns takes a knee, stepping into prayer position as he kneels before the candles as he prays.
Y/N: Good question... let me answer your question with a question with my own, how do we define what makes us human?
This question makes Father Johns break his focus as his head visibly turns to the side, Y/n fiddling with his wooden cane as he talks.
Y/N: Humanity is a fickle thing, I hear people talking about it like some alliance, an origin that binds us together but that bond is easily broken by ones own greed and hatred... Can you really call something a bond if you've seen it broken a hundred times?
Father Johns: Isn't that why god put us on this earth? To test our mettle and challenge the bonds we share?
Y/N: And what bonds do we share Brian?
Father Johns didn't speak as he finishes his prayer in silence, he slowly rises and turns towards Y/n with a gentle smile with empty broken eyes.
Father Johns: I thought as a show of respect for all the hard work in bringing this village out of the hell that witch had thrown it in... I have been contacted by someone claiming to be an old ally of yours yet... he refuses to talk to you himself...
Y/n sighed and looked at the crucified Jesus in the stained glass, nodding his head.
Y/N: And what did he want?
Father Johns: Firstly to never let our meeting slip into your ears... Secondly he's been waiting on information you promised but never delivered him... Thirdly,
Y/N: About a woman, brown hair approximately your height?
Father Johns: Yes but I never met anyone like that... and he did ask about your condition?
Y/N: And how did you answer?
Father Johns: Honestly.
Y/N: I really wish you hadn't have done that Father.
Father Johns watches calmly as Y/n stands up, towering over the priest who looks undeterred as he evaluates the disapproval in the Minister's voice.
Y/N: I warned you... I warned everyone that there are outsiders who threat our peaceful ways here-
Father Johns: But why? We say peaceful ways but we make our peace exclusive to certain outsiders, which outsiders can we and can we not trust Minister?
Y/N: That's an answer a man of the cloth won't like nor will he understand... You're a man of faith right? So just have faith in me Father-
Father Johns: Why would I put my faith in the devil's task master?
There was a cold silence between the two, Father John's unwavering smile and empty stare met with Y/n's cold and formidable presence. Father Johns fiddling with a rosary in his one hand as Y/n tapped a finger on his cane.
Y/N: I see... You think me a bringer of death?
Father Johns: I don't know what you are... I have prayed yet no answer has been given... So I thought your friend might be more forthcoming with the details-
Y/N: Let me stop you right there Father...
Y/n then begins to approach the Priest slowly, not using his cane but in fact holding it more like a sword in his main hand.
Y/N: I don't care what you or your God think of me, I waited a long time for that higher power answer and all I heard was the silence of the abyss... Now if our mutual friend wants to hear from me so be it all I need is the location... Would you be so kind, as to pass on such information for me Father?
Y/n stepped up close, pressing the end of his cane on Father Johns' chest pushing him dangerously close to the candles burning behind him. This was the first break in the Priest's façade, his smile fading quickly as he looks up at the haunting disapproval on Y/n's face.
Father Johns: The sluice gate... Where the old part of town used to be flooded, he told me to meet him in the control room if I reconsidered his offer-
Y/N: Offer? Father a lie of omission is still a lie... What have you hidden from me now?
Father John still had some bite left in him, enough to bite his lip and stop himself from oversharing any further.
Y/N: That's fine... I'm not mad Father, you and he are just doing what you think is best... But keep in mind if you're here for the best interest of the people... Then stand by me and my best interest for the people I have sworn to protect after all...
Y/n gives him a slightly condescending smile but immediately after turning his back on Father Johns' that smile became a scowl of impatience. Y/n returned to using his cane for it's intended purpose as he began to exit the church but would leave some parting words for the holy man.
Y/N: Just remember Father... It takes a Devil's hand to reveal God's plan...
Y/n tipped his hat with that Heisenberg flare before stepping out, Father Johns turning to the communion wine to settle his shaken nerves.
Y/n had to delay any plans he set up for the evening to instead follow up with an old friend, it was quite the walk for his sickly body. It did give him a chance to follow up with the local fisherman who had set up shop near the dam a few months back, Y/n was able to easily navigate himself to the gate though.
He stepped into the elevator once he was alone, he rode it upwards until it came to a stop at the control room. He stepped out to see familiar black leather jacket facing away from him.
Chris: Father Johns, reconsidered my offer-
Chris turned around and immediately threw his hands up in disbelief at the sight of Y/n.
Chris: Can't catch a break... Well... What now?
Y/N: I thought we had an understanding Chris.
Chris: That understanding didn't apply to Claire's ell being, whatever agreement you made with BSAA doesn't apply to me-
Y/N: As long as you utilize BSAA resources, you are still BSAA to me... Plus Claire has an entire Castle to look after her as she assists in the soil rehabilitation project-
Chris: I haven't talked to her since I left with Sheva, how do I know if she's still alive Y/n?!
Y/N: By trusting in me, I showed you I'm willing to work with you if you show me your willing to trust but turn-coating the local priest on me?
Chris: What the hell would I want with the priest?
Y/N: I don't know, what do you want with the recognized trusted local religious figure entrusted with the confessions and worries of the entire village? Seems like a great place to start an information leak... You wanted a spy Chris, I may be sick but I'm not stupid-UGH!
Y/n entered another coughing fit, a more aggressive one as he leaned on the wall spitting up that milky substance again. Chris groaned at the sight as he tossed Y/n a oily maintenance rag the old control master left behind.
Chris: Sick is fucking right, the Father was right... something is wrong with you...
Y/N: I'm fine... just a cold...
Chris: A cold doesn't last for 8 months... Whatever you ate in that cavern must not be agreeing with you-
Y/N: Is this also why your here, to bother me cause I'm busy rebuilding homes-
Chris: Rumor has it you haven't delivered on any of the information you promised that BSAA agent.
Y/N: I gave them an answer to every document they've sent me...
Y/n limped over from the wall to an old metal chair and sat down, almost like he's aged rapidly internally but still looked the same.
Y/N: I never promised to give them informative answers or reports that held any actual worth... Yes, I denied to answer a few questions and maybe I sent them 20 page paper on the local wildlife, intentionally leaving out anything specfic about my people and how the recovery progress is going BUT I am keeping them up to date on the viral tracking initiative and good news... no new infections!
Chris: Splendid, do you want a standing ovation?
Y/N: Don't get smart Redfield, you and I both know your not supposed to be here!
Chris: And whose gonna stop me? You? You can barely stand on your own anymore and you expect me to believe you still got the strength to throw me out without killing yourself?
Chris looked at Y/n but Y/n began to laugh much to Chris' surprise.
Y/N: You're right... I'm in no shape to defend myself to be honest... But don't worry that'll change-
Chris: Yeah I don't think so... I think you bit off more then you can chew this time, you let all that power go to your head and now an unstable experimental virus is putting your DNA through the blender... I don't think your bouncing back from this one...
Y/N: Well if your such a virus specialist why do we even need the BSAA around, sounds like you have a perfect understanding of genetics and biology Chris... Don't let me interrupt all your important work!
Y/n stood up gesturing to the worn down, rust and mildew soaked walls Chris was using for shelter. He made his way to the elevator, pressing the button with a ding as he pulled the gate open.
Chris: You can't hide here forever, if it's not the BSAA it'll be Umbrella... Someone is gonna come looking-
Y/N: And when they do I'll be there to show them horrors they've wrought, I started this on my terms I will end it on my terms! In the meantime, stay indoors at night, this far out the pack likes to hunt...
Chris: What pack?
Y/n just kept his back to Chris after closing the elevator gate, flipping him the bird over his shoulder as the elevator descended.
Chris: Great reunion Y/n! LET'S NEVER DO IT AGAIN... AND TELL CLAIRE TO CALL ME FOR FUCK SAKE!
Chris' shouts echoed through the elevator shaft as Y/n made his way forwards, with that diversion set aside Y/n got back on track with his errand list and that meant inspecting the factory next.
Heisenberg's factory, made to believe it was decommissioned and abandoned. Until the key to the forge was returned, Y/n walked up to the mechanism and placed the keys in the slot. It required a little elbow grease to kick start the engines but finally he could hear the hum of life.
Furnaces started to glow, lights flickered, and unused automatons hanging on the rails began to shift and twitch.
Y/N: I may not be at my full potential... But I still have a few tricks of my own...
Y/n smiled as he looked over the railing, in the scrapyard he watched his chainsaw-ghouls roaming the refuse like guard dogs. With his future ambitions set in motions, smoke stacks beginning to emit smoke once more Y/n was done for the day.
Almost, he had one last appointment to make at the castle.
Y/n entered the Castle almost immediately greeted by Bella, Cassandra, and Daniela.
Bella: Welcome back sir, how was your visit to the village?
Y/N: Not bad, a lot of work ahead of us but morale is high.
Cassandra: May I take your coat sir?
Y/N: No need my dear, I'm a bit chilly so I will wear it.
Daniela: Are you sure your feeling well sir? We could always take care of you~
Y/N: Very kind but not necessary my darlings... Well not right now, check back with me before bed that is~
The trio share a collective giggle before letting their lover off, Y/n seemed more focused on getting to the bedroom for another reason. Part of that reason was Jill standing in front of the door, when she saw him her face suddenly lit up.
Jill: Y/n! You're more limber then last time you went out... That's a good sign... I'm guessing your checking on here, again...
Y/N: Oh Jill, you sound a tad jealous~
Jill: Oh no not at all, just watching her get all that attention you know... Okay a little but I get it...
Y/n kissed Jill on the forehead making her look up at him in wonder.
Y/N: I know it's kinda unfair but I truly appreciate you and Alcina looking after her.
Jill played off his praise but she did appreciate his kind words, she stepped aside allowing him into the room. The VIP in question was actually a bed-ridden Claire, who seemed to be very pregnant at this time.
She looked up from the book she was reading and smiled at Y/n.
Claire: Is it that time already? It's not even sundown yet.
Y/N: No no, just me being a overprotective bastard.
He joked as he pulled a chair beside Claire, sitting beside her as she gently rubbed her belly. Y/n smiling dreamily as he looked at his future child, Claire rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand placing it on her belly and feeling a faint kick against his palm.
Y/n took a sharp breath, a mix of joy, fear, and anticipation rushed through his body as he and Claire met each others gaze. In that moment they shared a quick, loving kiss while Jill, Alcina, and Donna watched from a slit in the door.
Alcina: Hopefully I'm next if that's the kinda treatment one gets.
Alcina whispered as Jill and Donna just scoffed but did share the sentiment to some degree.
Claire: So how's the farmers doing? Did the vinegar and chlorine solution work-
Y/N: We can discuss work later, you need to rest. Lana said your due date is closing in-
Claire: I think I know my due date hun, it would just be a big terrasavers win if we founded a formula for removing virus corruption from land and agriculture.
Y/N: How about you put the paperwork down and instead let your brother know your okay... I think it would mean a lot too him...
Claire: I want too... I just... How do I explain... this?
She gestured to her belly.
Claire: Especially after so many months and with a... um...
Y/N: A bioweapon?
Claire: No offense hun.
Y/N: None taken baby mama... Just tell him, the Redfield bloodline is in good hands~
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Book End.
< Word Count : 3530 >
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Quick Note: So this is a bitter sweet finale.
It's a really weird feeling because this book is how I started on Wattpad, so this is a conflicting hit for me like I'm happy I got to finish this book but it's a sad farewell for now as I move onto other things.
So a big thanks for enduring all 47 parts of this book, I'm glad we could finish it together and hopefully this was a satisfying end.
As it stands however, the rankings for this book as I post this final chapter:
- 637k Reads
- 12.5k Votes
#59 in Zombies
#1 in Fanficmoments
#359 in Dimitrescu
#603 Re8
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