Wounds that were Left Behind

--- 1987 ---

The soft moonlight slowly crept through the cracks in the old stone wall, the ebbing wane of the soft light illuminating the dust motes that drifted through the air. Despite everything, the atmosphere was peaceful as the world rested.

Leaning back against the wall Frank let out a small sigh, his eyes going to his leg. While it had mostly healed the scars were clear and crude. He still couldn't feel it properly and the mangled flesh never really responded to his wishes properly.

It had been hard enough to walk, let alone run.

Looking up at the sky out of the crack again he couldn't help but start to feel so lonely. He had ever since Gavin started appearing less and less as he was caught up on... whatever he did.

They had started strong, after the night that Gavin explained everything that had happened they decided to stick together. Betrayed by their people for doing nothing but being different, against the mould maybe. But still, they didn't deserve it.

So they had found a place to stay, a ruined apartment complex in the destroyed industrial area. And it was… nice.

He didn't have much more to say about it than that. He had grown close to Hikaru, although there was some tension between the two. Hikaru had started to feel that Frank shouldn't have been willing to give so much, but he understood. He and Stacy grew closer however so he started to take on some of Stacy's resentment.

They were closer to each other than ever before, they had started dating a year ago. If you could call it that in this situation, but it had left him feeling a bit isolated. And when Gavin stopped showing so much it only added to the feeling.

He threw himself into hunting spirits, his fire was hotter than ever before, and it seemed that what he had given had become almost a permanent multiplier to whatever he added now. It wasn't as hot as when he had given it. But it was still an increase in his power.

And he liked that.

He really did give a lot…

At the end of the day, it didn't matter though, not anymore. Stacy and Hikaru spent more time with each other, Stacy started smiling again and she slowly grew to love Hikaru as he loved her. And with that, Frank threw himself into hunting spirits.

When Hikaru found out about Frank's domain he had changed his favourite animal. Just remembering that entire scene was somewhat amusing.

Now it was the fairy-wren because Stacy liked it, 'because it makes her smile,' to be exact.

But the bull was no longer his favourite simply because it took form in Frank's domain through the Bronze Bull. Honestly Frank found the reasoning petty but not much got to him anymore.

Standing up he went to one of the large holes in the wall and sat in it, hanging his legs out over the edge of the building and looking down over the ruined landscape. His eyes focused in the direction the pit was in. It had been covered by all sorts of machinery and fencing. The government investigating what could have caused the damage. A large white tent now hiding everything that went on inside.

Ultimately finding nothing they just isolated the area and left some back-washed scientists investigating it. It was good to know the peak of his power had become a field trip for people who just wanted to retire and were doing the last bit of their contract.

Leaping down from the building he felt the wind rushing past him. He focused power into his legs as he landed, making sure to land mainly on his good leg before putting his bad one down.

Limping away into the area he just made his way towards the pit. He hadn't looked at it for a long time.

---

Sighing Joben walked into the apartment complex and made his way up the rickety floors. He wasn't making any progress with learning reverse cursed technique despite the help from Hikaru and the worst part about it all was he was growing more tired by the day.

He probably didn't have long left.

After saving Frank he started to get sick and going to the non-sorcerer doctors revealed why. He had gotten radiation sickness. The heat from the pit was mostly likely the cause of it, turns out Frank's heat at that moment was akin to a nuke in some ways.

He knew that from the scientists that hung around there. When he had gone to see it for himself and read the reports he saw that there was lingering radiation and other unknown energies in the pit. It wasn't massive amounts, as he was sure that most of it had disappeared when it wasn't fueled by cursed energy. Only leaving the lingering amounts that were at most negligible.

But when he went into the pit Frank had still been fueling it. He had been next to it for quite a while after all.

This just made Frank even more dangerous. In the end, he didn't know what to do about the sickness.

So he had been doing nothing, he tried to learn reverse cursed technique to save himself but his progress had been slow to non-existent.

The negative energy strengthening his body was doing some good at least, but it wouldn't cure him, it only slowed down his death from happening in the normal 2 – 4 weeks to maybe a couple of years.

It was a massive jump, the resistance of his cursed energy-fueled body helping. But still, it was just more time. No treatment was really going to help him either… he had asked around but his case was 'unique' as most doctors put it. He hadn't gotten good news so he had stopped searching.

He had erased the memories of all the doctors he saw as well.

The worst part about it was that because of the waves of dizziness and the cognitive impairment from his damaged central nervous system, it was hard to use his technique and sometimes it was even hard to move.

Getting to the top floors of the apartment he walked in and after peaking into the room that Hikaru and Stacy were sleeping in he saw them resting fitfully.

Walking to the couch Frank normally slept on by the fire he saw that blankets tossed aside and the man gone… that made sense, probably some night hunting as he normally did.

Sitting down he watched the flickering coals and sighed to himself, running a hand down his chin as he fought back tears.

He had wanted to make his life his own and in the end, he had just ended up losing it. Losing it doing what he thought was right… in the end both he and Frank had suffered, giving something that the others couldn't understand really.

And Stacy and Hikaru were resting without a single thought as to what was really happening. In the end, they were happy, they woke up with each other. Hunted spirits and smiled, enjoying a free life.

He couldn't help but feel just a bit… bitter.

They had no idea what had been given, and not by him. But by Frank, the value of what he had sacrificed... to give them a chance, just to come back and have to live every day knowing that he saved someone he now couldn't care for. And to not once show anger or resentment for that? Despite losing so much? And then on top of that to have to deal with resentment and annoyance at him for making a sacrifice... it was unfair. He truly felt sorry for Frank... so he tried to do what he could. 

Noticing that the lab coat and lanyard were gone Joben knew where Frank had left to. To see the pit for himself, he had given them to Frank a while ago after making some fake records with the manager who worked there. In case he waver wanted to see it again for himself.

Although that was a while ago and the manager might have changed.

He should go help out in case he was needed.

Standing up he made his way back down the stairs and walked towards the sight.

---

"I was told that I was meant to be coming here as a victim of the incident?" Frank tried again hopelessly. Showing the lanyard that didn't seem to work.

"You're not on our records sorry. Doctor Fudo no longer works here, he retired a few months ago. If he was going to let you in then he needs to be here or give you a written note. If you talk to him and come back we can let you in then alright?" The girl explained. "I'm sorry, there really isn't much I can do. Especially since you have come at... well... so early in the morning." A small sigh escaped her lips. Her head hanging a bit.

She was around his age, 21, maybe a bit younger.

"It's alright, honestly, I didn't think I would be let in anyway. Just you know… wanted to see the place that hurt me." Frank responded, his eyes saddened as he looked at the big science tent that had been set up over it.

"So you know what happened here?" She asked, her eyes widening a bit, they won't tell me anything. They just get me to work the night shifts because I am cheaper than the rest." She said with a small laugh.

Smiling as he saw her light up he shook his head, "Sorry to disappoint but I remember almost nothing. Whatever happened knocked me out for more than a week." Frank said, showing his ankle as he lifted his pant leg a bit. "All I have from it is this scar, it goes up to my mid-thigh."

Looking at it a bit shocked she said, "You can still walk on that?!"

"Barely, I got really lucky, nothing super important was burnt, just a lot of the outside layer," Frank said as he nodded, cutting the topic off not wanting to make it gross though. "Well, I'll be back soon, you only on for the nights?" He asks suddenly.

Blinking in surprise she smiled a bit and said, "Yeah. The low staff though and the ones that are here just drink and watch things in the back tent. So it's pretty chill."

"Guess I'll be back soon then," Frank said with a small smile as he turned and was about to start limping away but saw Gavin approaching at a steady speed. With his chin high and his stride steady he gave off the air that he owned this place.

As she saw him her back straightened as her eyes widened. "Gavin s-sir, um what brings you here. Let me just go inside and get the night manager quickly." Darting off before Gavin could respond.

Standing there confused Frank looked at Gavin and then back at the tent.

Starting to ask. "Um, what is this-"

"I'm a head of department in the CIRO according to their memories and files," Gavin revealed in a soft whisper with a smirk on his face as he looked at Frank. Not even needing him to finish the question. Let's just say that he hadn't idled in the time that he wasn't with the group. He didn't know why, but if he was going to die he wanted his death to be really mysterious with connections that didn't make sense when they were really looked into.

Did he break into the CIRO and government just to plant some memories and files in high places? Yes, did he regret it? Not at all, it had been fun. And useful in moments like these.

It was odd why he even had the thought of doing this, to begin with, there had been a girl he was talking to about it all. A sorcerer from Tokyo who joked that if she had the technique he had then she would just try to get into as many high places as she could to challenge herself.

She had been interesting, and nice. Back to matters at hand though.

"I saw that you were gone from the apartment and thought you might have gone here," Gavin said as he waited for the manager to show up.

"Thought I would come past and help you in since I have nothing going on right now." He finished as he looked back at the tent.

Nodding Frank just sighed as he said, "You've been pretty busy recently. Leaving me with the two love birds." His voice was a bit harsh.

Nodding Gavin had a guilty look overcome his features as he said, "Yeah… I'm sorry. I… I would tell you but-" His words were cut off as the tent flap opened and a tired and ruffled-looking old man came out of the tent.

"G-Gavin, w-we were not expecting a visit so late… How can I help?" The man asks, trying to get more presentable as he talks.

"Hm, Clearly. I was just visiting with an associate of mine, he was involved in the incident and we were going to talk about it." Gavin says, starting to move past without even waiting for permission to enter. Walking slowly so that Frank could easily keep up.

"U-Um, of course of course, is there anything you or your companion need?" The man asked, desperate to make a better impression than he already had. "I'll make sure to lecture young Iku on leaving people outside as well, I would have let him in at least." Thinking that she did something wrong.

Seeing that Frank looked a bit off-put by the comment. Gavin put his hand on his shoulder to guide him into another room in the tent with some equipment and a viewing monitor. Only so that he could read his mind and see what he was thinking.

Getting the picture that Frank didn't like the idea of the girl being punished a small smirk flashed on his face which he hid. Oh, he would tease about this later.

But for now, "I'm sorry what was that?" Gavin said, pausing and turning to face the manager.

"Y-Young Iku made you wait outside didn't she?" He asked, his nerves rising.

Shaking his head disappointed Gavin looked up at Iku and said, "I'm sorry. Was I there when you were greeting my associate?"

Shaking her head nervously she looked at the floor thinking that she was going to get in trouble.

"No, I wasn't, I arrived later as I was held up by a call. I'm working right now. Unlike you." Gavin stabbed as he glared at the manager. "As far as I am aware she is the only one that was making an effort to greet the people coming to the sight. And on top of that the only one actually doing her job organizing things for when the day crew get here. As you are meant to be doing."

"From what I understand the job of the night crew, that need I remind you, is to prepare the sight for the arrival of the day crew who will be looking into the intelligence matter, name: The Pit. That includes and is not limited to, doing minor research, cleaning up samples from the day before, organizing tools, and properly sorting files." Gavin said, going to town and getting really into his role much to the amusement of Frank and the shock of Iku.

"From reports, the reason I am even here, those tasks have barely been done to any level that this sight can function and from what I am seeing, one person has been trying to do it. Her." Motioning at Iku with a nod. "You are not doing your job, lazing around and sleeping on time that you should be working and then you have the gall to try and punish her for following the rules that are laid down and not letting an unregistered individual into the tent."

Taking a breath he waited for the man to try and speak before cutting him off. "I don't want to hear excuses. She followed rules, that you just informed me you would have broken letting him inside. So clearly she knows how to run this place better than you do and actually is doing the job she is employed for. Not only that, she is only an intern and still doing better. I question your company's decision to send her here and not an official research facility."

Seeing the man not try to speak again Gavin sighed, he had done enough. "I'll be contacting the board and putting in a request to review the contract that your company is hired under, Remember, you are simply independent contractors. If you have been found to not doing the work you have been paid to do, you void the contract for your entire company." Gavin threatens making the man pale.

That would lose him a lot more than just his job. The company would be far more than just mad at him for losing such a golden and easy contract. Nodding his head numbly he just stood there in silence. Making excuses clearly would make this man madder.

"Iku…" Gavin said looking up at her.

"Y-yes sir?" She squeaked out.

"No need to be nervous, you are the only person working here. You can expect a letter from my department to be given to the board of research directors. A letter of recommendation, I've been aware of the situation for a while and I am impressed by your drive despite the situation. Now, back to matters at hand, please take my associate Frank and show him the pit. All you need to do is escort him until he is ready to leave. I have some matters to attend to now." Gavin said with a heavy sigh.

Walking into the back tent followed by the manager leaving Frank and Iku alone in the monitoring room.

Standing shocked for a moment she suddenly beamed. A look of pure joy showed on her face. She was getting recommended to the CIRO!

"Frank was it! Please come this way." She said, her voice full of energy as she led him to the pit room a bit too quickly. Pushing the flap to the side as she turned to see him slowly limping forward. "Oh sorry, I should slow down a bit shouldn't I?" She asked, her face softening.

"It's alright, it's good you're in such high spirits," Frank responded, a smile on his own face. Quickly morphing into a blank one as he saw the pit, however.

Seeing the change in mood her own mood dropped.

Frank slowly walked forward and knelt down, his fingers touching the edge of the smooth glassy stone. The heat melted it so that it cooled to a perfectly smooth surface. Like water flowing down a drain, the stone frozen in time swirling towards the imprint of a curled-up figure that was vaguely human.

He knew what it was…

"We assume that print is whatever impacted the ground, or the bomb that went off underground… it is all just so… odd." She said, crouching next to him.

Nodding he said, "Yeah… it is isn't it."

=======

Just another flashback chapter. As I said I wanted to post something today as I had a bit of time. But I don't think I will be able to release anything tomorrow. Hopefully my weekend allows me to get a chapter done but I can't make any promises.

Just wanted to show a bit more of who Joben was before he was taken over and his connection to Frank. Also, for those that asked, I will post a summary of what happened in the last flashback chapter. So chapter 64 which won't be a flashback but a conclusion before the skip.

Thanks for all the support and understanding!