Author's Note:
Would ya look at that, chapter twenty already! I know not seeing characters from the anime is frustrating sometimes, but I'm trying to buy my way past the gag chapters of Reborn! So don't worry, I'll keep you guys updated on which arc is happening when, so expect to see the story intertwine as more chapters unfold!
Chapter 20: Assassin, Traitor, Comrade
"Yargh!" I yelp out on reflex after getting smacked right in the face by one of those, big, fat, red, slimy, armored tentacles. If that wasn't bad enough, on top of the armor were metal spikes. I flew a good few meters before crashing into a bunch of potted plants placed near the gates. Darn it, why does it feel like I flew across the battlefield everytime I fight in a battle? Of course, there was no time to be lying around, and I quickly got on my feet. Things weren't looking so good. Sure, Vito and Kiera are holding their own, but the rest of my Famiglia shooting from range are tossed around like rag dolls. "Augh! Eyah!" They screamed out as I saw them literally fly over my head. Metal zipping past my face and all. The cold is gone though. I don't know whether it's because of the wind stopping, or that the heat of battle is keeping me warm.
As I made my way to rejoin the battle, Aria and Gamma, together with a group of the Giglio Nero, arrived at where we are. The orange pacifier around Aria's neck is now shining brightly, maybe even more brighter than Skull's. That's it! That's a pacifier, they're one and the same! "Skull!" Aria called out, her voiced drowned out by the sounds of the battle.
"My lady, I'm afraid you'll have to stay back." Gamma spoke out in a rather calm tone. I expected Aria to disagree, but to my surprise, she complied. Gamma then joins the battle as well, showing his proficiency in all types of fire-arms as he switched them on the fly, even as he dodged and ran.
This is definitely not going to work if my Famiglia keeps getting pummeled like this. As my feet pounded against the stone-floor, running across the battlefield, dodging those tenctacles, I yelled out my orders. "Everyone! Fall back! Go out of the tentacles' range and provide support fire!" My words accompanied by feral strength, almost like a lion roaring. I didn't quite catch it, but a smile appeared on Kiera's face while a look of surprise appeared on Gamma's. Immediately, a good number of my Famiglia moved, falling back and relying more on firearm and providing support.
"Zanna! Are you sure about draining so much of the offense?" Gamma yells out suddenly, as he dodged each of the tentacle's impacts as they struck the ground.
"They stand no chance against that power! Providing support fire will be a safer option!" I yelled back. I don't know why, but I feel like he asked me that question just to taunt me. "Ah!" I screamed out again as I was nearly struck again by those tentacles, the spikes grazed against my skin. I didn't notice it much, but a number of cuts and welts already surfaced on my body, particularly my skin. I don't know wether they're bleeding, but the stinging is definitely there.
"Hahahahahaha!" Skull stands laughing atop his monstrosity, arms crossed, confident like he had already won this.
I find myself raising my legs to defend and redirect those tentacles while constantly aiming for Skull with Fenris. Mobility is the key here, as I ran across the battlefield to disorient the enemy as well as to restock on ammo. Metal hitting stone can be heard as bullets dropped to the ground after they are shot, soon it feels like we were striding through a sea of metal. I kept my eyes on my allies as well. Vito and Kiera, even Gamma seems to bo holding their own, though they are forced to a defensive position. Support fire from the others don't seem to be working much. At this rate, we'll definitely lose out in terms of sustainability.
Suddenly, a loud impact sounded off as metal clashed against metal, the armored tentacle crashing against Kiera's shield, sweeping her off the feet with force. Kiera flew a good distance before hitting the wall of the school. "Ugh!" It was then Kiera did what I never see her do before. She cried out in pain, even if that was just one word. As I see her shivering amongst the clouds of smoke and dust, my instinct took over. Kiera looked disoriented, her face showing off reactions of pain, as subtle as they may be.
My legs sprinted towards her, adrenaline pumping. I don't quite remember what was going through my mind. It was almost like everything went blank for that second. Right after, Skull sent a tentacle right for her. I threw myself, arms thwon wide apart, to shield Kiera from it. I feel like I'm in a daze, I feel like this has happened before.
"Yargh!" I gave out, as the spikes drove into my flesh, puncturing my skin and tearing my muscles. Heat and pain rushes forth from the area, shooting out across my body like a swarm of caterpillars consuming a tree. At that instant, everyone's attention turned to my scream, distracted for a second. But a second was all Skull needed. With no delay, Skull cashed in on the opportunity, capturing all four of us with his octopus' tentacles.
I couldn't make a sound, or maybe I did, but I couldn't hear it. I felt suffocated. My vision was getting blurry. But I could still feel. I felt cold metal and fiery pain. I felt crushed, lumped together with extreme force. My hand was numb from gripping Fenris so hard. But, I know I couldn't let go of Fenris. Once I do, I'll die right there. I worry, as the images of my comrades suffering from the grip of the tentacles constantly flashes across my mind.
"Zwush!"
The sound of the wind, as fast as it was, snapped me back. That burst forced my eyes open. It was as if my body was used to that sound already. I was falling. In fact, all of us were, crashing to the floor with a loud 'thud'. The fact was that a sniper bullet had been shot, coursing through the air at a speed no one could sense. No one but me. I don't know why, but as I lift my head, I saw Skull's helmet with a crack and his octopus, strangely, concerned about his master. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. The strolling came slowly after. Kiera and I were surprised to we who it was. Walking into the scene with not a worry at all, the dark-blue haired man twirls his sniper rifle around his body, readying himself for combat. His eyes ever serious, he needed to say no word at all.
"Swush." "Zwung." "Swush." The guy twirls his rifle around as we recovered. Skull wasn't too happy about what happened, though. His body shivering with anger, he burst out without control. "Argh! You, you dare interfere, traitor?" Skulls roars out. What did he mean by traitor?
"You guys were too weak." The guy replied, closing his eyes. That was when he charged forth, taking on the Skull and his pet head on. At the same time, Skull began making strange signals with his hands, his fingers. The trashing of the tentacles grew more rapid and unpredictable immediately after. Still, we all stood quite surprised as the guy fought on offensively, dodging attacks and striking the armored tentacles. "Kink!" "Chink!" The sound of metal clashing against metal was soon the only sound on the battlefield.
I look around, checking the area, and was glad to see that everyone of the public has already evacuated. I was also afraid of what's gonna happen when school resumes with the front area looking like a warzone. I could also see Aria, with her flashing pacifier around her neck, looking worried.
The guy then dodged once again, back-flipping towards us. His hair flowing with the wind, his movements stopped for a bit. "Attack, aim the armor." His sentence short, saying only what was necessary. That brought us back into the fight. Soon we were constantly striking on the armor, now on the offensive. It seemed that dodging the tentacles was just what we needed. For the insane strength to hit, it must touch you, so dodging helps reduce injury as well as conserve energy.
"Hey, ya have a name?" Vito asks out in-between dodges, quite the surprise as well.
"Dante. Dante Ignazio." The blue-haired guy replied, his eyes still focused on Skull. In-between each clash between his rifle and the armor of the octopus, a delay would present itself from the tentacles' movement. Dante would then shoot off three shots towards Skull, only to hit the armor again as Skull raises his fingers, the tentacle raised up to block the shots.
"You seem strong. We should duel. It's been a while." Vito just say it out of nowhere, pulling out a second dagger and slashing hard on one of the armored tentacles. What is he saying at a time like this?
"Agreed, Angel, but we must take care of him first." Dante replied, striking hard as he brought down his rifle on the armor as well. Angel, as in, the Angel of Life. That's Vito's title, as well as his name, Vito Angelo. Wait, did he just agreed to the duel? What's wrong with this two?
Throb. The pain started to distract my focus. I must have forgotten about my injuries. Kiera's assault continued with each swing of her shield, while Gamma pulled out a shotgun and began pelting the octopus. Throb. I was also attacking, though I seem to be the least effective. Fenris's bullets aren't fast, but they pack a punch. Getting them to hit, though, is another idea entirely. Throb. Soon, after a god number of hits and a lengthy amount of time, our efforts paid off. The armor started to crack. The line ruptured all around the spikes and metal, the sound can heard loudly all throughout. Dante stood up straight, and aimed his rifle, in a swing, shooting off eight bullets, all the armor on each tentacle shattered at the impact.
"Crishink!" The pieces shatter.
"You-you broke the armor?" Skull roared out, now his anger out of control. Lashing out with his hand signals, the tentacles shoot after us faster than before, immediately catching us in it's grip. Throb. My pain is still going on, but there's no time for that. "It's..It's okay.. Calcassa! I need support!" Skull yells out, trying to reach out to his men. A guy suddenly limped out of the corner, covered in bruises and blood. He limped towards us with bated breath, drawing surprise to our faces as well as to Skull.
"Skull... Help.. me..." He mumbld out before falling. Behind him, I could hear the rattling of chains. Sergio walked out into the open, with his clothes slightly torn but other wise looking all right.
"Yo, I'm afraid there's no reinforcements here, not anymore." He announced to Skull, prepping up the chain around his arms and his body.
The grip around us loosened as Skull fell into slight panic. Fumbling out his walkie, he desperately called for help. "Attention, I need more members here, now!" The sound of static returned, followed by the roar of explosions. People can be heard screaming in pain.
"Sk-Skull! Our Warships at the docks has been sunk! Argh!" The voice was cut off soon after. Skull was left silent over his failure.
"Hey, Angel, how many daggers can you throw?" Dante quietly sneak in a question while Skull was still disoriented, looking at Vito's left hand being free.
"Uh, let's see, five?" Vito gave out after nearly dozing off from the sight of what's happening to Skull. Kiera, Gamma and I were left to wonder what Dante's planning.
"Shoot." Dante just gave out the order just like that. What was strange was that Vito complied, immediately after, even. At the instant when the ballistic daggers flew, Dante pushed his rifle free as well, and gave off three shots. Skull reacted fast enough to block the three daggers but only managed to block one of the bullets, the other two striking both his hand.
"Yargh!" The leather-suited baby cried out, pain coming from both hands. Because of the sudden stop of hand signals, the octopus got confused and dropped us oof as well.
"You'll pay for that! You'll all pay!" Skull screams out, his confidence now completely gone. The octopus seems to have gone berserk as well.
"Arcobaleno. I think you have other things to worry about." Dante called out, pointing towards the docks. That was when the light from Aria's pacifier shoned even more brightly than before.
"This is.."Aria ask out, as if doubtful of what happened.
"Hah!" A scream came from nowhere. Suddenly, blasts was shot at Skull and his octopus, breaking his helmet even more and forcing us to back off from the area. "Hrrrrraaaaaahhhhh!" The battle-cry, now obvious that it was coming from the top, sounded off. I turned to see another baby in a uniform with green camouflage, being carried by a bird, with a rifle in his hand. I rub my eyes to make sure I wasn't imagining it. His shots seems to be hurting Skull.
"Uncle Colonello!" Aria called out, strangely greeting the baby.
"Hey! You were right, kid! You were absolutely right!" The baby called Colonello shouted out to Dante, while pelting Skull with bullets and blasts. Landing beside the two, Collonello grabbed on to one of the armorless tentacles and begin turning in a circle. "Hiiiiiiyyyyyyyyyaaaaaahhhhhhh!" He yells out once again, tossing the octopus in the direction of the ocean.
"Uuuuwwwaaaaahhhh!" Skull screamed as he flew grabbing on to his octopus, flying off from our sight.
And that was it. We won. I still can't believe it.
Immediately after everything was over however, I was presented another situation. Kiera walked on towards Dante as I checked on my Famiglia as well as the others. Vito never moved from his spot, looking on as Kiera suddenly raised her shield. "Don't think I've forgotten what you've done, what you've tried to do!" She say out calmly, yet her voice was angry in its tone.
"I was clouded by emotions, but now, my head is clear. You are a danger to the Zanna Famiglia!"
There it is, the end of chapter twenty! The end of a conflict leads to another? What will happen to Dante? Did you guys enjoy the chapter? Keep a lookout for the next chapter and the end of this arc!