To be a Mercenary

To be a Mercenary is the second chapter or arc of Descendants of Calamity. This chapter formally introduces Dmitri Karpakov nickamed Curdle after the events of the Operation Salamanca. Nonetheless, it also introduces All-Stars and one of it's members.
== Story ==
=== Chapter 2:1 - Proclamation ===
Days after the events of Contest, Nikolas and Erwin are now housed in a forwards operations base owned by Descendants of Calamity. On the morning of April 15, the Unteroffizier or Deputy of Descendants of Calamity arrives. "Wassersaule" arrives at the sight of an injured Erwin. Erwin, with an arm cast, some scratches and bandaged eyes stays silent upon recognizing Wassersaule. Whereas Wassersaule grabs a few pins and announces that Erwin is joining the Descendants of Calamity. Whereas Nikolas arrives, wearing a lab coat upon hearing the news. Wassersaule then pins up a circular and triangular shapes on Erwin's collar, signifying his service. Afterwards telling Nikolas that he is required to accomplish a task before he gets his chance to join the Battalion. As he explains a man named Curdle, a man named Walter appears out of thin air through his Kinetic art of Quantumekanikinesis, stopping Nikolas and notifying him of his weakness.
Curdle is then described to have Biokinesis which is the strongest and most potent kinetic art, having distinct and different uses and capabilities. It is able to manipulate one's own biological factors but it cannot be stronger than what the user is capable of. In Curdle's case, he uses this ability to launch thin, quick and sharp slashes of infected blood toward his adversary. Curdle's blood has been infected with diseases such as leptospirosis, HIV and Malaria. Meaning that Curdle's advantage is his ability to inflict technically poison and severely deep wounds which can cause hemorrhages that are lethal, alongside blood infections that can weaken an opponent. Walter then emphasizes on Curdle's quick and agile speed, being able to launch barrages of scratches to clobber his enemies through his weapons of Tekko-kagi claws. 
Nikolas enlightens his ability to summon and launch large bursts of powerful winds, nonetheless use his kinetic art to enhance his speed and agility as a form of attacking. Walter counter-argues by saying that this mission is centered around assassination, espionage or capture rather than to take Curdle's life as they aim to imprison him for interrogation and the fact that this mission is to prove of Nikolas' capabilities of stealth and capture, which he lacks. This also serves as his recruitment into the Descendants of Calamity.
A few moments afterward, Erwin approaches Wassersaule's tent and asks of him about his future in Descendants of Calamity.
Erwin: Hey, man, a few questions. How does this differentiate from regular military service and how is this going to benefit me? I mean, we're all still going to fight in the same front the others are in, right?
Wassersaule: A mercenary is different from a soldier. You're like, let's say a Gorilla and the other soldiers are Orangutans. 
Erwin: What?
Wassersaule: Let's say, like, Gorillas are more dangerous than Orangutans, you can use your Kinetic arts at will while regular soldiers are needed to fight with rifles, unless given the order.
Erwin: That... barely answers my question.
Wassersaule: You see, like let's focus on the benefits. You'll get contracts to do, which are relatively easier than serving as a pawn. You're like a rook, follow me, yes? You won't get deployed to die in the front and be worthless in the end. These contracts pay you depending on how hard your missions are, and if you accomplish you'll get higher profile contracts and relatively higher reputation. They also are more beneficial for our war effort. In the long run, this will benefit you and give you a high position in the corps. 
Erwin: You're basically saying that I have higher bounty.
Wassersaule: You know what? Just learn more by yourself. Take this newspaper, it highlights our efforts as a battalion, hell we captured Heilbronn by ourselves and the mainstream press thought it was our Army. We are like vigilantes, heroes, even, that are unrecognized, but are sure as hell doing the work. 
Erwin then reads the newspaper featuring DoC. It includes highlights of their effort, respectively, capturing Heilbronn, locating an important supply train and inventing a new airborne fighting strategy through the use of literal airships. He even sees his older brother get recognition in the papers, which he is easily jealous of. However, Erwin reads deeper and deeper noticing headlines of murder, manslaughter and arson, which he does not think much of thinking that the Curdle guy was responsible of these crimes. That is until he sees a blurry blurry picture of Ezekiel Hollenfeuer which was unidentified by others as a suspect currently leaving the scene, which made Erwin think for a small moment, until he says it is unimportant.
=== Chapter 2:2 - Secret Path ===
The night of April 15, Nikolas and Walter move into the eerie forests of Heilbronn. Nikolas is seen wearing a dark-green lab coat, an armband with utilities and sachets for syringes and goggles. Distant gunfire and explosions are heard as they wander into the foliage of Baden-Wurttemberg. Constant chirping from crickets, itchy pants and arms, dirty uniforms severely affect Nikolas physically. Mentally, he is driven to complete the mission and prove himself once and for all. Walter, feeling unnerved, yet unsure of what is to come decides to plan on a stake out and wait for the appearance of Curdle. He completely disregards Nikolas as he doesn't see his potential and just sees him as a pawn, for his sociopathic strategy, he wants to use Nikolas as bait for Curdle as he hides in the bushes and waits for the kill. He does not recognize the lethality of this strategy. They then walk onto a more open area, a long road beside a destroyed and abandoned small village. The area is covered in bushes and trees, providing concealment. Walter then briefs Nikolas about his plan.
Walter: Nikolas, I have developed a strategy, it involves your patience. This is a test, you shall act as a distraction. You guaranteed your own safety, as with what you had stated about your agility earlier. We shall lure Curdle out as if we are fishing.
Nikolas: ok
Walter: I shall conceal myself within the foliage as I have my revolver watching you, you are under my guard. Now, I task you to examine the road, examine the nearby structures for environmental advantages if we are ever getting in trouble. That will make you a good and not-too-obvious distraction, yes?
Nikolas: ok
Nikolas replied, with such a stoic tone as Walter is just amused by his mannerism. Walter then conceals himself and guards Nikolas as Nikolas does what he was commanded. Walter is incredibly amused by Nikolas' obedience and then sees his worth as Nikolas examines nearby rocks, craters and abandoned foxholes beside the road. However, a dark figure stands atop a tree. Crouched on the tip of a tree, it is Curdle himself! His red mask and scarf flowing with the wind alongside his long and flawless hair. Pale eyes locked onto Nikolas as he continues to observe. Curdle announces his presence as he continuously leaps onto multiple trees as Walter notices and notifies Nikolas of the absurd presence. 
Walter then tasks Nikolas to stealthily chase the unknown figure that is Curdle as a test for his stealthy capabilities. Nikolas then agrees as Walter then silently observes and watches Nikolas silently run as he disappears into smoke that he created. Nikolas then conceals himself in a small destroyed wall respective to the village. Curdle purposefully shows himself as Nikolas recognizes. But then to his surprise, Walter is nowhere to be seen. Did Walter run away? Was he a traitor? He did not know for sure and decided to stick with the mission. Curdle then moves into the village, showing no sign of timidity or awareness at all. Nikolas then follows and continuously tries to hide himself. Curdle then moves into a more enclosed space as Nikolas continues to follow. Looking over, Nikolas is now timid and nervous, but before he notices he was actually tricked into Curdle's advantage as he launches the first attack.
=== Chapter 2:3 - Cloak and dagger ===
Curdle extracts his claws, ready to fight. Nikolas, in shock prepares a wave of wind. Curdle then extracts his blood and gathers it inside of his claws, before he launches the well-known thin sharp slashes of claws toward his opponent. His infected blood, filled with dirt and all of infections approach Nikolas as Nikolas withdraws his wind and dodges the slashes as they melt in the air. Curdle then kicks Nikolas' stomach after seeing him approach. Nikolas stumbles backward but quickly gains footing as Curdle starts a clash with Nikolas. Nikolas draws his daggers and parries Curdle's scratches. He is astonished by the quick and agile capabilities of Curdle, much faster than Novak Betelguese. 
Nikolas manages to find an opening and kicks Curdle's side and launching him away with Power Gale, a technique. Nikolas then looks around for Walter, seeing him nowhere as Curdle regains foot and lunges himself toward Nikolas and attempts to clobber him with multiple scratches, however Nikolas quickly launches with another technique, Chains of Anemoi: Blend Variation to parry the attacks. A loud shot was heard, whereas Curdle has been hit in the abdomen with a bullet, but to Nikolas' surprise, Curdle is bulletproof. Walter, who appeared from stealth and was actually observing the fight was the one who fired the shot. Curdle taunts Walter as Walter taunts back. Walter's real last name is revealed to be Heisenberg. 
The fight continues as this time, Nikolas starts a clash, launching Nock-Ten's flurry, throwing his daggers toward Curdle as Curdle's chest is now pierced. Then he dashes forward, knocking Curdle over but he quickly stands up again. Heisenberg then joins in as Nikolas breathes. Heisenberg chops Curdle's neck in an attempt to incapacitate him, however Curdle quickly headbutts Heisenberg away. Heisenberg quickly draws his gun again and shoots but misses. Heisenberg then punches Curdle in the face, making him stumble away. In disbelief, Curdle is being defeated by an unarmed person. A bad memory of Curdle flashes at him, whereas his older brother calls him "weak and of no use" despite his drive which severely affects Curdle's mental state. 
Heisenberg then appears to be launching a right-hook toward Curdle and Curdle scoffs at a foolish attack. Curdle then lunges his right claws toward Heisenberg, but Hesienberg disappears after a smoke bomb is detonated. Missing his opportunity, Curdle is shocked and amused, seeing that Heisenberg has also improved from their last fight. What? He was not like this before! He usually just attacked head on without any of this thinking! Curdle thought. But then, Heisenberg quickly reappears and tackles Curdle, putting him on the ground. Curdle then regains footing and kicks Heisenberg away and decides to attack Nikolas, but is only punched away by another Power Gale. The fight pauses as Nikolas asks for Curdle's true name, to which Curdle replies:
It is then shown in another memory of Curdle that all his brothers looked down on him, and whenever he expressed toward them, they all get hurt in some way a few days or even months after expressing. 
Curdle: My tongue is a curse, my feelings are a hex. If I open up to you, you will be prone to death. This is what der Fuhrer calls "Bane of Dmitri."
Nikolas: No, your tongue is a muscle.
Curdle: Shut your mouth! You are unaware of who you are talking to! I am the man who's responsible for the deaths of innocent lives! I am pride! I am reclaimer of my brother's lives!
Nikolas: ...
Curdle: ...
Curdle: Why are you not talking?! Your blank stare annoys me!
Nikolas: You told me to shut up though.
Curdle: You... How could you live so long with a mouth like that?! Were you not disciplined when you were just a boy?! DISGRACEFUL!!!
Curdle then lashes toward Nikolas, starting a clash. The blood of Curdle and the dirt from their weapons fling around the battlefield. Heisenberg is nowhere to be seen yet again. Nikolas attempts to launch another Chains of Anemoi but fails as curdle lands a successful scratch, inflicting lethal damage to Nikolas. The situation is now dire as leptospirosis enters Nikolas' body. Nikolas then stammers and stumbles down, trying to hold his ground, breathing his hardest as Curdle prepares to finish him off. 
Heisenberg reappears atop a small tree, throwing sharp pins toward Curdle. Whereas Curdle is surprised but quickly counters by surrounding himself with slashes of blood using the technique called Deficient Rampage which deflects all the blades. Heisenberg then kicks the face of Curdle, which only makes him stumble backward as Heisenberg draws a pair of thick and hard sticks. Heisenberg then smacks Curdle's face as Curdle manages to stab Heisenberg's stomach, with not much deep stab as Heisenberg stammers. 
Nikolas continues to struggle but manages to finally stand up. Curdle then launches more thin slashes of blood toward a struggling Heisenberg. Then, Nikolas pushes Heisenberg away from danger as he launches another Power Gale to shove Heisenberg away. Heisenberg is mixed about this, seeing Nikolas' defiance and heroism but then also his lack of calculation, making Nikolas, an already severely wounded, less experienced fighter prone to Curdle. Curdle then kicks Nikolas' face and Nikolas' stabs Curdle's thigh, which actually punctures his artery. 
Curdle then continues to kick Nikolas to enjoy himself as Nikolas starts to continuously stab Curdle's thigh as he screams out of pain. Nikolas then stabs a critical wound and Curdle then stabs Nikolas' shoulder, forcing Nikolas to stop as Curdle scratches him once again and kicking Nikolas away. But the determined Nikolas, panting and out of breath whilst bleeding severely with scratch wounds stands up and launches a final Nock-ten's flurry toward Curdle, in which Curdle has been stabbed in the center-mass with not much critical damage. Curdle then lunges Nikolas and stabs him in the upper chest as Nikolas stops breathing, presumed dead.
Curdle is then smacked in the head by Heisenberg, who then continues to fight Curdle out of anger seeing what he did to Nikolas. 
Curdle: HEISENBEEEEEERGGGG!!!!!! FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON ME, FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON YOU!!!
Heisenberg: I WILL RESTRICT YOUR AIR FLOW WITH YOUR OWN DAMN SCARF!
The two continue to clash as Curdle slowly breaks Heisenberg's sticks and severely scratches him as Curdle only receives a concussion. Curdle then launches him and Heisenberg away, clashing in the air as Curdle lands another kick to Heisenberg's side, then afterwards, clobbered as his first stick breaks which is eventually his breaking point. As they land, Heisenberg then attempts to hit Curdle in the head again, hoping for a brain hemorrhage, but it's too late as Curdle already is starting to lunge his claws forward. Heisenberg accepts death and knowledge that he failed this mission.
[ BOOOOOM!!! ]
Out of nowhere, a small yet potent substance explodes. It is fulminated mercury! Nikolas, out of breath, continuously breathing, with calm eyes and adrenaline filled body is standing shakily, daring another fight. Curdle at this point is tired and out of breath, as well as stamina. He is shocked at the sight of a living corpse at this point, enraged by his own weakness as Heisenberg is collapsed and trying to gain a stance. 
Nikolas: I have learned from my previous fight. You are a fighter with a big pride. They tend to go full power and waste all their stamina and strength because they try their hardest to win. I take advantage of that, trick you into thinking that I am weak and I am met with a weakened fighter. What's wrong? You're supposed to be killing me right now, right? Why not? It's because of your own pride, you practically killed yourself, Curdle. 
Curdle: What the fuck? How in the world... You should be dead... The HIV, the Malaria, your lack of stamina, HOW?!
Nikolas: A wise man once said, to have stealth. I have took much resistance pills, vitamins and such before our fight so that it will take more time for my death. I have injected myself with morphine when you were distracted with Mr. Heisenberg. Now, with that aside, we are both at our breaking points let's fight one last time.
Curdle does not even take a second to speak, he immediately clobbers Nikolas as Nikolas just kicks him away, throwing another batch of Fulminated Mercury and stabbing Curdle's left hand, which disarms his left hand. Curdle then stabs Nikolas' shoulder again, as Nikolas coughs up blood, now thinking that he will die and that his OWN pride got to him, with Curdle's exclamation of Yes! Nikolas zones out for a moment, remembering what Ezekiel had told to him when they were younger.
Nikolas launches a deadly attack on Curdle. He uses Compression to compress Curdle's heart to force it to pump more aggressively which gives him a small heart attack, then eventual loss of stamina which leads to exhaustion. Curdle collapses on his knees, struggling to breathe as Nikolas takes out a syringe of Potassium Chloride and injects it into Curdle's arm. This compound leads to paralysis, which eventually leads to the death of Curdle's heart, and Curdle himself as he gags and struggles to get a hold of himself and he dies, which completes the mission's secondary objective.
==== Curdle's Origin ====
Dmitri Karpakov, born with 3 other brothers was raised in a violent household. Everyone of his family were bandits or were trained to be bandits. Their family typically earns from doing mischief and basic crimes like theft and robbery. They were very special at it, as a family tradition and they treated it as a career. By the age of 7, Dmitri was trained to fight, however he couldn't manage to defeat his older brothers, which deemed him as weak. However, he did not care for this as he continues being the humor-centered brother of the three. By 1914, Masurian Lakes was attacked, as a result their parental figures went missing and their house was demolished. At this point, Dmitri was 19 years old. Luis is driven by revenge, thus, he took all of his brothers into Germany, the culprit of the attack and started to practice organized crime within that area. 
Dmitri was so empathetic and weak that he refused to take another's life. He volunteered to become the launderer and the one to make profits through non-harmful methods, to which his older brother, Miranda allowed. Afterwards, Dmitri was then robbed, but he cannot display weakness so he was forced to fight. He used small claws to catch the thief, eventually getting him. Then, Dmitri is needed to interrogate the thief, to which he tied him up in a basement for 3 days. Similar to Erwin, he befriended his enemy, got to know what he is and who he is. Both mutually expressed their feelings and desires to one another, this is where Dmitri's bane sourced. A few days afterward, Dmitri was ready to release the thief, however Luis forced him to shoot the thief and so he had no choice but to do so. Dmitri breaks down upon the knowledge that he had killed a human for no good reason. 
Several years onward, by this point Dmitri is nothing but his former self. Scarred and torn by the horrors he was forced to condone. He is exponentially powerful, agile and dangerous. His brother, Miranda researched Kinetic art enhancers to boost their performance, to which is similar to illegal drugs. Their organized crime continuously used these agents for their operations. Dmitri constantly used it due to his quick addiction to it and obsession with power because he no longer wants to be looked down upon by his brothers. Day by day, month by month, Dmitri's appearance declines. His pupils disappeared leaving him with ugly pale white eyes. His teeth mutated, giving him canines. But, he is stronger than ever now and he wanted to prove himself. He then expressed to his brothers about his love for them and his desire for their respect, to which each brother appreciated and it looks as if they will have a stronger bond now.
Not a singular month later, their compound was invaded by forces of the Descendants of Calamity, led by Heisenberg and Ezekiel. They all were involved in a huge fight whereas Luis overdosed on the enhancers, causing his death and was obliterated by Ezekiel's Geokinetic abilities. Miranda was then shot repeatedly, in front of Dmitri as he fought Heisenberg. After seeing his brother's dead, he was completely saddened and told Svetovoy, the surviving brother other than him, to run, expressing his fear and desire to protect him. By this point also, he had noticed that he is not being intercepted by Heroes, but by Barbarians working for their pride.
Dmitri: RUN SVET! THEY WILL NOT SPARE YOU!!! I WILL FIND YOU SOON!!! LUIS AND MIRANDA ARE GOING TO BE OKAY!!! JUST RUN AND BE FREE!!!
Dmitri was then spared by Ezekiel, but beaten up repeatedly. After the fight, nothing was left of their efforts. Luis is dead. Miranda is dead. The compound destroyed and their organization forced to disband. Dmitri then flees from the ruins. Before leaving to go back to Dresden, Luis continues to overdose on enhancers and drugs to cheer himself up. This worsens his health, however he knew what he was doing. He also forged new claws for fighting and he made money from thievery again. Due to his harsh living conditions, he contracted several blood diseases. At this point, depressed, he went on to attend brothels (which gave him HIV) to cheer himself up, but he never found happiness. He mustered up the courage to return to Svetovoy, and leaves this depressing life.
He returned to Dresden to meet up with Svetovoy. To which he hugged and expressed his love for. They would live there peacefully and Svetovoy decided to enter politics to eventually antagonize Ezekiel to kick him out of power. Then eventually, on April 1, 1941, Svetovoy was assassinated by Ezekiel. By this point, Dmitri breaks down. Now knowing his words are poison. Whenever he expresses, someone is doomed to die. As for revenge, he aims to use his given abilities to find Ezekiel and eliminate what he loves and leave him in shackles of despair. Dmitri then hides his identity and now identifies as Curdle.
==== Over ====
Blood dripping from his fingers, Nikolas leaves behind the lifeless and pupil-less eyes of Curdle after checking his pulse and breathing. He then approaches the struggling Heisenberg, and has a short conversation with him. The two war-torn warriors talk to each other, with a heart-to-heart intention and passion. They are victorious, yet they suffer severe wounds that will take a while to heal.
Nikolas: Mr. Heisenberg, we did it... We've neutralized Curdle...
Felix: From now on, call me Felix. You have proved yourself, Nikolas. At the very end, and at the very start, you have used stealth. Indirectly and directly. You are a man of drive and potential. I wish to witness your journey and aid you in your needs. 
Nikolas then patches up Felix, wrapping him in bandages and giving him a tourniquet as well as eyepatches. Forces of the DoC battalion arrive to evacuate Nikolas and Felix, alongside retrieving the corpse and weapons of Dmitri Karpakov. Conclusively, the mission is successful and Nikolas will join the Descendants of Calamity as a Hauptmann, alongside Erwin.
== Author's Final Notes ==
Category:Arcs