The Shadow Chemist 3

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#3 of The Shadow Chemist

Part 3 of The Shadow Chemist 3, I had a lot of fun writing this and I hope someone other there enjoys reading it lol In this part Kaida Meiyo, the Shadow Chemist finds a white fox in pretty bad shape and has a choice to make.


Kaida's fingers tapped restlessly on the cold metal surface of her laboratory table, a drumming soundtrack to the irritated grumble in her mind. "Of course. Never enough supplies," she complained. Her golden eyes scanned the dwindling rows of vials and syringes with a heavy sigh that fogged up the glassware. "Dammit!"

Perhaps if she hadn't been scammed so many times buying materials, she wouldn't need to venture out into the badlands right now. Kaida knew better than anyone that it was a place where one couldn't afford to be unprepared. Wild weather, dangerous flora, and even more dangerous creatures roamed freely in that inhospitable wasteland. Taking extra care, Kaida packed her bag with items twice before stowing them away: a high energy rifle, an additional med kit, and her trusty dagger strapped securely to her thigh.

"Alright, let's get this over with," Kaida muttered as she zipped up her lab coat and stepped out of the hidden laboratory. she leapt onto her speeder, her fingers skimming over the metal surface with practiced ease. She tipped her head back to gaze at the moon, its silver light providing just enough illumination for her dark fur. Taking a deep breath, she revved up the engine and cranked it into gear. The powerful machine roared beneath her as she zoomed off towards the horizon, knowing full well the dangers that awaited in the treacherous badlands.

She had been scammed far too many times when trying to procure essential laboratory supplies, Kaida knew better than most that it was a place where one couldn't afford to be unprepared. Wild weather, dangerous flora, and even more dangerous creatures roamed freely in that inhospitable wasteland.

She drove all night till the sun roase low in the sky, casting a fiery orange glow over the desolate landscape. Kaida's speeder roared through the badlands, leaving a trail of dust in its wake. The wind whipped through her fur, teasing out the tension that always seemed to accompany her work in the city.

"Ah, the badlands," Kaida thought to herself, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Wild, free... and deadly." She enjoyed the ride, the adrenaline coursing through her veins as she navigated the treacherous terrain. If it weren't for the myriad dangers lurking around every corner, she would have loved to make her home here, far from the suffocating confines of the city.

Kaida's ears perked up at the sound of rustling leaves, her nose twitching as the scent of crushed foliage reached her. Slowing down her speeder, she scanned the area with narrowed eyes, her gloved hands gripping the handlebars tightly.

"Stay sharp, Kaida," she muttered, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew all too well the dangers that hid in the shadows of the badlands - monsters that wouldn't hesitate to tear her apart if given the chance.

As Kaida dismounted her speeder, she caught sight of something unusual that was tucked into a hidden alcove nearby: a naked white fox, unconscious and injured. The fox's side bore an ugly black burn mark from a high-energy weapon wound; the skin was cauterized - a small mercy that kept him from bleeding out.

Kaida's heart raced as she cautiously approached the injured fox lying in the gravel. She cursed under her breath, torn between helping the poor animal and minding her own business.

Her black boots crunched softly with each step as she came closer, and before long she was standing by his side. Her gloved hand was shaking slightly as she reached out and gently nudged his shoulder.

"Hey," she called out in a gentle voice. "Can you hear me?"

There was no response from the white fox, and Kaida sighed, frustration mingling with concern in her gut. She knew that time was of the essence in the badlands, but she couldn't just leave him here to die?

"Alright, let's see what I can do," she murmured, kneeling down beside him. Her hands moved with practiced precision as she assessed his injuries and dug into her messenger bag for her med kit.

As she worked, Kaida couldn't help but wonder what had brought this stranger to such a dangerous place, and if his presence would somehow complicate her life even further. But for now, all she could do was focus on keeping him alive.

"Someone really did a number on you," she muttered, her thoughts racing ahead even as her expert fingers tended to his wounds.

Amidst the desolation of the badlands, Kaida's senses were heightened. The distant howl of a predator echoed through the air, and the scent of iron-rich blood was unmistakable. She knelt beside the unconscious white fox, her gloved fingers gently probing the edges of his high-energy weapon wound. It wasn't fatal, but something else was off.

"That fucker," Kaida muttered, her heart racing as she recognized the heavy, chemical scent emanating from his body. "That bastard Rick..."

She recalled the potent mixture she had sold to him not long ago, never imagining it would be used like this. Guilt gnawed at her insides, and she hesitated, torn between helping this stranger and protecting herself.

"Kaida, what are you doing?" she whispered to herself, clenching her fists in indecision. "You don't need this mess."

The wind whipped around them, carrying with it the faint stench of decay. In the distance, a low growl echoed ominously, reminding her that danger was ever-present in the badlands. Time was running out.

"Fuuuuck," she spat the word out, anger and determination fueling her actions. "I won't let my work be your death sentence."

With renewed purpose, Kaida dug into her messenger bag, extracting the necessary tools to counteract the effects of the substance coursing through the fox's veins. As she worked, she couldn't help but wonder if this decision would come back to haunt her.

"Who are you, anyway?" she asked the unconscious fox aloud, her hands steady even as her mind raced with doubts. "And why did Rick want you dead?"

Her thoughts churned as she tended to the injured stranger, the weight of her decision settling heavily on her shoulders. But despite the uncertainty and fear, Kaida knew she couldn't turn her back on him, not when her own creations had played a part in his suffering.

"Congrats, fox," Kaida murmured bitterly, finishing the last of her work. "You're now the newest complication in my life."

She sighed, glancing around the desolate landscape as she gathered her supplies. The sun was setting, casting eerie shadows across the badlands, and she knew it was time to move on.

"Alright, let's get you out of here," she said, hoisting the unconscious fox onto her back, grateful that he was lighter than he appeared. "I hope you're worth all this trouble."

Kaida gritted her teeth, shaking off her doubts as she focused on the task at hand. She reached into her black messenger bag, pulling out a med-kit and laying the tools out beside the injured fox. The wind whipped around them, carrying with it the scent of dust and decay that hung heavy in the badlands.

"Alright," she murmured, steeling herself for the next step. Her gloved fingers deftly treated the energy wound on the fox's side, a once-familiar warmth spreading through her chest as she worked. Memories of a past life threatened to surface, but she crushed them down, refusing to let herself get lost in the pain. "The past is the only poison I am not immune to," she reminded herself.

Kaida glanced at the unconscious fox, her heart racing as she prepared for what she knew came next. With a deep breath, she drew her trusty knife from its sheath on her thigh, the blade glinting in the fading light. "Forgive me for this," she whispered, slicing the fox's wrist with practiced precision.

Blood welled up from the fresh cut, and Kaida pressed her lips against the warm flesh, her ability to absorb toxins activating as she drank in the tainted blood. The taste was bitter and vile, but she forced herself to continue, drawing the impurities from the fox's body. Her gift, her curse - a skill that had once made her a valuable commodity to those who would exploit her.

"Enough," she rasped, pulling away from the fox as his breathing began to steady. She wiped her mouth, grimacing at the lingering taste of blood and chemicals. "You'd better be worth all this trouble."

As she worked to clean and bandage the now-detoxified wound, Kaida couldn't help but wonder what consequences lay ahead of her. She had chosen to save this stranger's life, but at what cost to her own? Only time would tell if her decision would be one she'd come to regret.

The sensation of toxins seeping into her system sent a shiver down Kaida's spine, the familiar bitter taste filling her mouth. Each drop of the contaminated blood a reminder of the cold metal cages and sterile walls that once held her captive. The lab - her own personal hell - echoed in her mind, the distant screams of her fellow test subjects still haunting her dreams.

"Damn it all," she muttered under her breath, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. She needed to save this stranger, not lose herself in memories better left forgotten. Gritting her teeth, Kaida continued to draw out the toxins from the fox's body, his breathing growing more stable with each passing moment.

"Never thought I'd be back here," she thought, eyeing the desolate badlands around her. "Using my cursed gift for something good."

The wind whipped across the barren landscape, carrying the pungent scent of decaying plant life and sulfur. The eerie silence was broken only by the distant howls of unseen predators lurking just beyond the horizon. In the far distance, the sun dipped below the jagged peaks, casting long shadows across the cracked earth.

"Alright, that should be enough," Kaida finally murmured, releasing the fox's wrist and carefully bandaging the wound. She could tell he was still weak, but she had done everything within her power to give him a fighting chance. "You're not dead yet, foxy."

"Stay alive, damn you," she whispered, half to herself and half to the unconscious fox. If he didn't survive, she couldn't bear the thought of having ventured into these forsaken badlands for nothing. Kaida rose to her feet, stretching her aching limbs as she surveyed the area. It was time to finish what she came here for - gathering the materials for her potions. She wasn't about to let this detour derail her entire mission.

Kaida worked quickly, using a fallen tree branch to drag the fox's body over to the speeder. She winced as she loaded him in, praying he'd remain unconscious long enough for her to complete her task. Once he was secured safely inside, Kaida took off into the fading light of dusk without looking back. All that mattered now was gathering what she had come here for and getting out.

As she made her way through the unforgiving terrain, Kaida could still feel the effects of the toxins that had entered her body. They sparked a surge of energy within her and gave her an extra burst of speed, though it was a power source she did not enjoy as it came from others' suffering. Regardless, she knew that this newfound strength would make gathering resources much quicker and easier.

With her satchel filled to the brim with the necessary materials, Kaida trudged back toward her hidden laboratory. The sun dipped behind the horizon, casting long shadows across the badlands as she carefully maneuvered her speeder over the rugged terrain. She glanced over at the unconscious white fox strapped securely to the vehicle, his fur now matted with dried blood and dirt.

"Why did I have to go and get involved?" she muttered under her breath, her grip tightening on the handlebars. As they entered the outskirts of the city, the dim glow of neon lights flickered on, illuminating the darkness. The smell of exhaust fumes and fried food from street vendors assaulted her nostrils, a stark contrast to the sterile scent of her laboratory.

"Almost home," she whispered, more to herself than to the fox, who remained blissfully unaware of their arrival

. She guided the speeder into the concealed entrance of her hidden lair, the metal door sliding shut behind them with a soft hiss. Kaida quickly unstrapped the fox and hoisted him onto her shoulder, carrying him inside. The weight of his limp body brought an unwelcome sense of responsibility. She laid him down gently on her bed, ensuring he was comfortable before turning her attention to the gathered materials.

"Alright, time to get to work," she said, her voice firm and determined. Kaida unpacked the various plants, minerals, and other materials she had collected from the badlands, placing them in their designated containers within her laboratory. As she worked, the familiar rhythm of organizing and cataloging her supplies soothed her frayed nerves.

"Focus on the task at hand," Kaida reminded herself, pushing thoughts of a sudden guest to the back of her mind. But as she prepared a concoction at her workbench, his presence weighed heavily on her conscience. She had to stop herself, her mind racing with all the possibilities. She couldn't believe that she had brought him here. He could be an enemy, a spy, or just another liability. But something inside her told her that she was doing the right thing--even though, deep down, she knew that monsters don't save people--and yet here she was, rescuing someone from certain death.

Kaida shook her head, trying to dispel her doubts. She couldn't change what had already been done; all she could do now was adapt and prepare for any potential consequences. With that thought, her resolve hardened, and she returned to her work with renewed vigor. "Whatever happens, I'll handle it," she muttered to herself. "I've survived worse, and I won't let anyone take away my freedom again."

As the night wore on, Kaida immersed herself in her craft, feeling the comforting familiarity of mixing chemicals and creating new substances. The rhythmic sounds of bubbling liquids and the soft glow of colorful vials provided a sense of solace amid the uncertainty lingering in her thoughts.

"Come what may," she whispered, casting one last glance at the unconscious fox before resuming her work. "I am Kaida Meiyo, the Shadow Chemist, and I will not be undone by a simple act of kindness."

The steady hum of machinery and the faint scent of chemicals filled Kaida's hidden laboratory as she carefully maneuvered the unconscious white fox onto her bed. Though he was still out cold, Kaida couldn't help but notice the way his fur seemed to glow under the dim laboratory lights. She removed her lab coat and draped it over him like a makeshift blanket, her black-gloved hands lingering for a moment on his soft fur.

"Damn this conscience of mine," Kaida muttered, her voice laced with a tired bitterness that gave away more than she intended.

The weight of the day's events seemed to seep into her bones as she shuffled across the room towards the sofa. Her exhaustion was further heightened by the energy drain from her toxin-absorbing ability, causing her body to feel heavy and sluggish. Kaida glanced back at the fox one last time before collapsing onto the worn cushions, her boots clattering against the metal floor.

"Of all the places in the world, you had to show up here," she sighed, rubbing her temples as she tried to silence the nagging questions that plagued her mind. "Who are you? And why did I even bother?"

But despite her many concerns, Kaida found herself strangely drawn to the injured stranger she had saved. His presence stirred something within her, an unfamiliar warmth that danced on the fringes of her consciousness, threatening to break through the barriers she had so carefully constructed around her heart.

"Get a grip, Meiyo," she admonished herself, forcing her thoughts away from the fox and back to the reality of her situation. "You're risking everything for someone you don't even know." she smiled, "he is kind of cute though," she thought playfully.

Kaida's breathing slowed as sleep began to claim her, but even in the depths of her exhaustion, she couldn't fully escape the doubts that haunted her. The last coherent thought that flickered across her mind was a simple yet powerful question:

"Was saving him worth the risk?"

And with that, Kaida Meiyo, the Shadow Chemist, succumbed to her weariness, her body finally at rest even as her mind continued to grapple with the consequences of her actions. The steady hum of machinery and the faint scent of chemicals enveloped her in their familiar embrace, a reminder of the life she had chosen and the secrets that lay hidden within her walls.