Chapter Text
Back to the present. Back to reality. Reality. Such a painful thing. Like the agony coursing through his body. Coursing through my body… He noticed something. The agony… the agony was less. Slowly melting away.
“You two are nearly there.” Geist’s voice rang every so faintly in his ears.
So that was why.
Bradford was still on the ground, curled into himself. Unaware of how much time had passed since the whole thing began. It felt like ages.
“The bond is nearly complete.”
Was it truly? Didn’t feel like it to Bradford. His mind was still swimming with memories. His own and Asaru’s. This alien had so many hosts through the ages. Exploring the Earth. Finding XCOM once more and making them his permanent home. So many different perspectives to view, absorb, and learn from.
“Nngh.”
Still some pain lingered as the finally connections were being made. But as the agony continued to fade, he felt something replace it. Peace. He hadn’t felt that in a long time. And then something else… Hope. And it was burning passionately deep within.
“Find me.”
No. No. No.
He closed his eyes tighter. She was still there. Dare he look? He needed to face it. Conquer this damn vision of a nightmare.
“Face it. Face her.”
Asaru’s voice rang in his head. It felt… strange. Much more pleasant than a Sectoid channeling its twisted thoughts to try and break him. But still strange. Something to get used.
But with the Ethereal’s words, he felt that hope swell inside of him. He opened his eyes, moving his hands away from his face. She was still. About a foot or two away from him.
He let out a deep sigh. He had to face her. No more running away from her. No more trying to block her out.
Body trembling, he forced himself to his feet. The world spun for a moment. It felt like his stomach was at the back of his throat. A hard swallow, a moment to catch his breath, he managed to keep his balance. He eyed her. So far, no reaction. She was still shaking like a leaf. Another sigh slipped from his lips before he moved towards her.
He stood in front of her. So close now. The closest he’s ever been since the nightmares plagued his mind. Still no reaction from her. Those eyes looked so dead. Afraid and pained. He just studied her body. Broken, naked body. Just like what he saw when Asaru searched out that connection. A shell of her former self. Strange diamond-like marks littered her body. And a stranger one on her neck. Starting from the chin down, her neck was black. It transitioned back to her natural skin tone as it reached her collarbone. Patterned like trickling rain.
He closed his eyes. A few tears streamed down. What are They doing to you?
Try not to dwell on that now. Just face her.
He opened his eyes again.
“I promise…”
He raised his hands to touch her, but paused. Could he really touch her? It’s all in his mind… right? But it wouldn’t hurt to try with everything going on tonight. So much had happened.
He brought a hand to her face. Just a test to lightly brush her cheek and… A sharp gasp left his lips. He could feel her. Trembling and cold. Ice cold. Then something else happened. She moved ever so slightly. Head tilting towards the hand. Can she feel him? See him? Hear him?
Another test. He brought both hands to her face and began to gently caress it. It took a moment, but she pressed her head into one of his hands.
“J-J-Jynn…” He started choking up.
God, she could feel him. Maybe even see and hear him.
“I-I promise…” He was still choking up. He just couldn’t believe it. As he was still caressing her head, he noticed she was shaking less. And those eyes of hers were looking calmer; slowly closing. “I promise I will find you.”
He dropped his hands from her face and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her into a hug. She needed it. He needed it.
“We will find you.” This time, Asaru spoke with him. Such a strange feeling.
Her shaking grew even less.
“I will find you.” Just his voice again as he held her tight. He didn’t want to let go. But he pulled back slightly. Studying her face again. Calmer. Looking less pained.
“I-I-I…” He can barely say it. Barely spit out those words. This could be his only chance to tell her.
“I love you.”
He didn’t know what came over him, but he just kissed her on her forehead.
A sigh come out. A sigh from her. He felt her slump into his arms, fully going limp. She was no longer shaking and her breathing was calmer.
He carefully shifted her in his arms to get a look at her face. Calm. Eyes fully closed. Like she was entering a peaceful sleep. Whatever was tormenting her was gone.
“Good.” He smiled.
But he noticed something. He was starting to feel her less. The blue glow to her ghostly visage was dimming. Like she was fading away.
No. No. No. It was too soon. He wanted to hold her longer.
“I-I promise…” He quietly whispered, holding her tight and fighting back tears. “I’ll find you… we’ll find you.”
But no matter how tightly he held her, she continued to fade. Blue wisps wicking away like ashes blow away by the wind. A few moments later, the last bit of her disappeared, leaving him with empty arms.
Just why?
“Why?”
He mumbled under his breath, shaking his head. She was gone too soon.
“Why?”
There were so many thoughts running through his mind. So many questions. He wondered if he would ever get answers for them.
“WHY?”
He let out an anguish wail, crying to the heavens as he dropped to his knees, slumping to the floor, and just wept.
And wept for a long time.
Awhile later, he felt something on his back. Felt like a hand. He peaked over his shoulder. It was Geist. Offering his order hand to help him back up. He took it.
“It’s never easy facing one’s demons.” Geist somberly said.
“Mhm.” He could only muster a throaty grumble.
Geist stepped away, giving the soldier a moment to clean up his face and compose himself.
“So, how do you feel… bond wise?”
Bradford looked at him like he grew two heads. How does one answer that? How to describe it? He looked down at his hands. His vision shift for a few seconds, peering into another world. No. Someone else’s eyes. Asaru’s. He could faintly see the Ethereal’s arms within his, the other set just below, and a few tendrils floating around him.
“Different… but at the same time… the same…” Bradford answered the best he could at the moment. Which was barely scratching the surface. But nothing felt amiss. Maybe he was a little sore all over, but nothing felt wrong. “Strange is the best way to describe it.”
“You will get used to it in due time as the bond between both of your continues to grow.” Geist gave him a few reassuring pats on the back. He flinched with each one.
“I hope you’re right.” Still, a small part of him wondered if this was a good idea. He couldn’t imagine how he was going to explain it to the rest of his crew. Heads were going to turn.
“You’ll feel a little pull when I separate.”
Asaru’s voice rang in his mind. Still something to get used to.
A moment later, Bradford’s body shuddered as he felt the pull. The next moment, Asaru emerged from his body. He looked to be glowing brighter.
“Gah!” He gasped. His whole body shuddered. Such an odd feeling.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine… gotta get used to it.”
Geist looked at Asaru, noticing his brighter glow and straightened posture. He smiled. Perfect. That was something promising.
“I suggest you both take it easy for some time.” Geist said. Especially after what just happened. “Let your bodies adjust to each other.”
“That would be wise.” Asaru agreed. He was feeling a little drained after the bonding.
“You don’t have to tell me that twice.” Bradford nodded, fighting back a yawn. He felt like he could use some rest. Tiredness was slowly catching up to him.
“Though if anything happens, such as the draining, immediately contact me.”
“I’ll —“ It wasn’t just him anymore. He looked at Asaru. “We’ll… we’ll keep that in mind.” He hoped that would never happen.
“But!” Geist raised a finger.
“What now?”
“I wish to train you.” Geist gleamed. He opened his hand and formed a few orbs. Twirling them between his fingers. “Help you learn how to handle the new found psionic power flowing through you and make sure you do not harm yourself or Asaru. Especially since you’re not a natural psionic.”
Bradford eyed those orbs. Psionics. He was still wary of them, but things were different now. He could feel it. To think he would be able to do that now, all because he bonded with this Ethereal. Maybe he would finally get some well-deserved payback on those annoying Sectoids. He chuckled. Can’t wait.
“That would also be a wise.” Asaru nodded. Precautious needed to be taken. “I rarely channeled my power through my recent set of hosts as it shortened the length we could stay bonded.” Last thing he wanted to do was ruin the bond between him and Bradford. Bond… oh right! He remembered something else.
“I’ll also try to keep the memories from my pasts from coming into your mind.” He moved closer to him. “Some of it will occur naturally, but I’ll keep most at bay until you’re ready to view them. Especially hers.” Bradford simply nodded, holding back a sigh at the mention of her.
Bradford then turned his attention back to Geist. “We’ll have to figure out when to plan this training.”
Part of him wondered how bad it would get. Since the bonding, he was recalling faint memories of the old days; him reviewing reports on how their psionic operatives’ training was going. Was always an interesting read with the hell their top psions would put the newcomers through. And something about Geist was becoming more familiar to him with each passing second.
“Like you, I’m running my own faction and trying to pull the world’s resistance cells together.” And that was its own daunting task, as it was like pulling teeth trying to interact with some factions and cells.
“We’ll work things out. In fact, I can loan one of my people to help.” Geist didn’t mind waiting. They had some time. “Navla. She’s one of my brightest. And will help you prepare for what lies ahead.”
What lies ahead? Bradford didn’t like the sound of that. Always cryptic nonsense from the Templars. Like there was something more than just the Elders, their Chosen, and ADVENT they had to worry about. Not something he wanted to think about. The Elders and their pawns were enough right now.
“Now,” Giest patted Bradford on the back a few times, “let’s get you need some much needed rest.”
Bradford stiffened with each pat. He was half tempted to smack him, but did nothing. He was far too tired to care at this point.
“Riiiiight.” A yawn finally snuck through. “Before my crew and I eventually leave here in a few days… you have to tell me how you survived the Old Base’s fall.”
“Ah!” Geist’s eyes lit up. “Starting to remember me?”
“Somewhat.” His memories were still foggy, but were slowly becoming clear. “Have him to thank.” He gestured over to Asaru.
Geist softly chuckled. It was a start.
“Well.” Placing an arm around his shoulder, Geist started to lead them towards the door. “Do you remember the operative that only started answering by their callsign?”
“That was you… and…” He paused as he searched his newly forming memories. “And someone else. But you were the first one.”
Geist let out a deep laugh. “Yes, I was the first and then Erika Rothschild. Sunder.” He shook his head. “What she liked to call herself after breaking the wills of a pack of Mutons during an abduction.”
“Sounds… familiar.” Bradford faintly remembered they had a few psions they had to keep a close eye on. Something about the newfound power went to their heads quickly.
“But back to me,” he ushered him to move, “I’ll tell you how I survived. Have my psionics to thank as they forced me into a coma when I sustained a life-threatening injury.”
He began his tale as he led Bradford and Asaru out of the chamber and to the guest quarters. By the end of it, Bradford had a lot answered, but had more questions. Exactly how long was Geist going to leave him in the dark about who he was and how much he knew about XCOM? He only got a chuckle and a grin as an answer which irritated him.
Introducing Asaru to the rest of his crew a day later went mostly fine. The two had agreed to do so since Bradford had a strong feeling they would ask questions about what happened back in the cave and then where did Geist drag him off to. And there were plenty of those questions and more. Especially details on how this ‘bond’ between him and Asaru worked. How deep did it go? Thankfully, Leo didn’t make any inappropriate jokes.
Now the real challenge would be telling the rest back on the Avenger. Should everyone know? He already knew who on the senior staff would be the first to know. Dr. Marin would probably be thrilled and want to pick at their brains. Maybe he would let Volk and Betos know. Hm.
“Just have to figure out who the others should be.”
Couldn’t let everyone know for Asaru’s safety. Last thing they needed was a leak. Needed to keep their new friend hidden as long as possible. The less the Elders knew, the better. Especially so they could find the Commander.
Reeves. Jynn. Please hang on. Stay strong.
Thinking about her hurt. He wondered if that nightmare would come back after confronting it. It was a connection to her. Her calling out to him. Asaura did say we could tap into that link and search for her. So it probably wouldn’t be the last time that nightmare would plague his mind. He wasn’t looking forward to it again. Seeing her like that tore up his heart. What were They doing to her? How the hell was she alive like that? Hopefully, they would find her soon.
“I’ll find you. We’ll find you.”