"'So gross!'"
"Shut up, mind your own business... You... The exit's underwater—you can't escape..."
"I've got no time to deal with you!"
'Persistent guys aren't popular! Especially when they're ugly and mama's boys!'
I backed away from the overwhelming menace, firing back retorts, and Moreau let out a pained laugh. He's got some skills.
"No... It's too late... Miranda's already... preparing for the ceremony!"
"So you're just buying time. Pathetic."
"How dare you... The one who'll be with Miranda... is me! Not you!"
"What are you talking about? Me, with her?"
'Though you and I are basically one and the same.'
Then Moreau vomited spectacularly. His back tentacles stretched and writhed wildly. This guy's seriously disgusting.
'See? I told you he's gross!'
"You... Something's off with you."
"I can't... hold back anymore... Help me... Why... Ah, Mama... Why... Why..."
With those words, Moreau staggered and collapsed into the lake, sinking beneath the surface. The next instant, a massive monster fish emerged. So it really was Moreau.
"Evelyn!"
'Got it!'
It leaped at me in attack, so I thrust out my right arm, transformed into a Blade Molded. But it bit down on the blade and tore it right off. Hey, that was supposed to be your boasted hardness, Evelyn—snapped like nothing. This thing... We should run. I dashed across the lake wreckage being shattered by Moreau's charges, leaping to the shore for safety.
'Even the blade doesn't work...'
"How the hell do we...?"
'Maybe drain the water?'
"That's it. He said the exit's underwater too."
Passing a sign for "Moreau Clinic," I reached the sluice control room, but the lever wouldn't budge. No power, apparently. A memo on the nearby wall said I need to use a crank to spin the windmill and restore electricity. Exiting through the back door, another memo mentioned that if the crank breaks due to wear, fetch a replacement from the opposite windmill. Seriously? That sounds exactly like what's already happened.
"...Cross this filthy lake?"
'If only I could grab stuff myself. Good luck, Ethan! I'll keep watch from above!'
"You've got it easy... I'll probably need your help again. Back me up."
'Of course. Leave it to me.'
"If blades won't cut it, let's go with a shield. Can you do it?"
'Probably, yeah.'
"Perfect!"
At the windmill connected to the shore, I found the crank and gave it a turn—just for it to snap midway. Figures. Time to cross the lake. Luckily, there are platforms. They look ready to sink, though. A bit risky, but I'll leave the bag here. Same for the heavy grenade launcher. Gotta stay mobile or I'm screwed. Gear's just the semi-auto handgun, Samurai Edge, shotgun, and knife. Let's do this!
"Goddamn it, you bastard!"
My go-to curse slipped out as I leaped down. Evelyn thoughtfully Molded my legs on landing, softening the impact. The moment I hit, I sprinted across the wreckage platforms. Where there were no paths, I shot debris to make one. But the gunfire alerted Moreau—he's coming...!
"Aaaaaaaa!!"
"I'm not becoming fish food. Evelyn!"
'Coming right up!'
Calling to Evelyn overhead, I transformed my right arm. It became a round shield of mold, blocking Moreau's charge. I adjusted the angle and let it propel me away—a major shortcut.
'No, that's not a "major shortcut"!'
Ignoring Evelyn's quip, I held the shield forward, curled my body, and landed with a roll. My back took a hit, but I got up and aimed for the opposite windmill. That Captain America move we watched together at her request came in handy. Can't pull off Spider-Man stuff, though.
"Quick!"
'You're such a slave driver!'
A annoying puzzle blocked the way, so I used Quick Molded legs for a massive leap, skipping it entirely. ...Correction. Spider-Man-level jumps? Nailed it. But dawdling means he'll smash the platforms and end me. He leaped from behind, closing in, so I drew the shotgun in my right hand and handgun in my left.
"I'm the best!"
'Kyaaaaaaa shabettaaaaa!!'
"He can talk in that form!? Evelyn, reinforce my right arm!"
'Stop with the weird sudden requests!?'
My right arm, gripping the shotgun, Molded and wrapped in mold for stability. Along with the handgun, I unleashed a barrage at monster-fish Moreau. The dual spray seemed to work—he veered off mid-air and dove. In that state, I can't deal real damage. Evelyn reverted my arm, I slung the shotgun back, and hurried on.
"You, youuu! Using weird powers! You and that flying brat, take escaping more seriouslyyy!"
"So you can see Evelyn, huh, puke freak!"
"Watch me, Mamaaa!"
'Oh, if you can see me... Eww, a mama's boy, ugly, puking fish? So gross!'
"You, youuu! I won't forgive thaaaaat!'
Mocked by Evelyn, Moreau leaped high from the water, snapping at her in the air. No chance of biting, of course—he whiffed, looking confused as he sank. The big waves nearly tripped me, but I jumped clear.
"Next time... I'll get it right... Mamaaa...!"
'He's seriously gross!?'
"Don't say what bothers meeeee!'
Thinking Evelyn dodged him, he ignored me and fixated on eating her, repeating desperate leaps. Doesn't he question how she's flying? Well, it helps us.
"Evelyn! Quick on both arms and legs!"
'Roger. Ahh, got eaten! ...Just kidding?'
"Whyyyy!?"
Using a shipwreck crane as a platform, I leaped and finally reached the opposite windmill. With Quick Molded limbs, I scaled the wall. Cheerful sounds echoed behind—probably Moreau thinking he ate Evelyn during my cover, only to phase through and scream. Handy for movement, though. Never thought I'd use the power that tormented me at the Baker house. At the top, I eyed my Molded limbs. Belatedly... what the hell's happened to my body?
"Found it—this one."
I located the crank, spun the windmill, pocketed the crank on my belt, then used a zipline I'd spotted earlier to glide back to the first windmill. Moreau lunged midway, but I fended him off with left-hand handgun shots and made it. Cranked the windmill again to restore power. Grabbed my bag and grenade launcher, then called to Evelyn.
"Alright! Evelyn, keep him distracted a bit longer!"
'Ehh, he's gross—I don't wanna get touched much...'
"He's perfect for a mold bed! Worse than a neglected bathroom!'
'Are you calling me dirty!?'
"What are you two babbling abouuuut!'
Watching Moreau futilely snap at Evelyn, I returned to the sluice control. Inputted the annoyingly complex button sequence from the memo and pulled the lever. The gate ahead activated, draining massive water flows. Beyond, Moreau writhed in agony. Evelyn, having seen it, floated to my side.
"We did it, Evelyn."
'You were reckless, but heroic—like a real hero. As expected from Papa.'
"I've said it before—I'm no hero type."
...By the way, a throat-clearing on return made me notice Duke in the back room. Headed over to resupply ammo.
"You finally noticed, Mr. Winters."
"...How'd you get here?"
'Seems impossible without teleportation.'
"Ho ho ho. That's a trade secret. Now, what can I do for you?"
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