A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: MORBIDITY, OOC, LANGUAGE

Chapter 5: Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam

Heat furrowed his eyebrows in gross concentration as he adjusted his cloak. He had already mastered his mantras and had just downloaded new ones. Roland had also been kind enough to provide him with a grenade launcher.

He was ready.

He was about to head out the door when he was stopped by Sera's sad face. He stopped in his tracks.

"Sera." he said. "I'm leaving today."

She bit her lip, clutching her heart, "I know…that's why…that's why…"

Heat growled; he didn't like to see her cry. He didn't need her sentimental crap right now. He was going to look for their comrades. Roland had told him that perhaps the people from the Karma Society had better information, seeing that their comrades had not been seen in Lokapala.

"Sera…please. Stay here." he ordered firmly.

A tear trickled down her cheek, "Heat…please…I don't want to be alone."

Heat's heart softened. He walked up to her and embraced her, "I'm sorry…but it must be done. I'll be back shortly. I'll just be gathering information anyway. Just like a simple recon mission. No big deal."

She hugged him tighter, "But…but…"

"No buts…This is for the best." he said with a tone of finality.

He pulled away and looked deeply in her eyes, "Don't worry."

She smiled sadly, "You can't ask that of me…You know I'll worry anyway…"

He nodded, "I know."

He leaned in and kissed her. She responded to his kiss and after a few moments, it was over. He gave her one final squeeze before letting her go. She couldn't look at him. Her eyes felt heavy and her cheeks were drooping. She cast her head down and sobbed. Heat tilted her chin upwards, "Hey…don't do that…" he soothed her.

She nodded and calmed herself down. When she was calm enough, she smiled, "Just return to me…"

He nodded, "I will."

xxxxx

Heat had infiltrated Karma City flawlessly. He had been amazed at what he saw. There were too many buildings that looked different from the ones he saw at the Junkland. But really, he didn't have the time admire the view. He was there for a reason; for a very strict reason. To find his comrades.

He had been hearing word from the crowd within that several oddly clothed people had been seen within the city. Apparently, these people had to be reported to the authorities when seen. People with gray suits. His heart stopped; that had got to be them. That was the last time that he had blended in with the crowd. Now, he walked the streets in stealth.

He now looked at the building in front of him. The Administrative Building. He wondered for a moment if he were to storm it. He sweat-dropped; maybe it wasn't such a hot idea…The place would be crawling with guards.

He narrowed his eyes; but his comrades hadn't been captured. At least, not yet. He turned away and walked the other way. He would infiltrate that building…when the time was right. Right now, he had other places to look for his comrades.

'I wonder where those idiots are!' he wondered, slightly annoyed that they hadn't made their way to Lokapala. Maybe he thought too highly of Serph and Gale.

His thoughts suddenly drifted to his black-haired sweetheart. He missed her terribly. He worried for her every given second. He didn't like this setup to be sure…but there wasn't really any choice. But at the same time, he wondered if she would indeed be safer in Lokapala, with all those strangers and that loser of a leader, Roland, than with him.

He frowned; he had the overwhelming desire to return to Lokapala. But he couldn't return empty-handed. He just had to get a lead on his comrades' whereabouts. After all, if he returned now, empty-handed, he would have to get back out here to find more leads…thus leaving her alone again. And God knew that he hated being without her. He couldn't stand to be without her again more than he was now. And so, with more conviction than ever, he blended in the shadows once more, following a pair of Karma Soldiers.

"We've been set on yellow alert." one of them said.

"Why?" the female Karma soldier asked.

"There have been reports of Unauthorized Avatar Tuners just outside the city." the male replied as-a-matter-of-factly.

Heat gritted his teeth; could that have been them?

"Yeah…well…should we really be concerned? Haven't they been dealt with already?" the female asked.

"No. They seem to be skilled. They killed ten of our soldiers."

The female stiffened, "Is that right? Where?"

"The streets…you know…the hunting grounds…"

"Oh." the female muttered.

Heat felt as if he was going to be sick. These people had branded the population of Lokapala as food. To be hunted down as prey and then eaten…was…beneath him. In the Junkland, everyone had an equal fighting chance for survival. There was no one greater or lesser…Everyone was the same. It was just up to them to decide on what to do in order to break that status quo.

But here…it was as if human meat from a noncombatant was just an everyday commodity that one traded for at shops and vendors. It was absolutely horrendous and appalling.

There was no honor in slaughtering helpless noncombatants. There was no pride in it. There was only needless carnage and bloodshed.

He followed them still.

'The hunting grounds…That must be…'

"There huh? So, what did the head honcho say? I'll bet she was pissed." the female snickered.

"Hey…don't say stuff like that. She might send us out there. And believe me, I don't want to deployed out there with those…Unauthorized Avatar Tuners out there…who by the way, ate a lot of our buddies. I don't want to be next on their menus…"

'They…their? It's gotta be…' When before he was speculating, now he was getting all the more confident that the subject of the guards' conversation was indeed his lost comrades.

"You think that they're in league with the Lokapalans?" the female asked.

The male scoffed, "I don't know why they would be…I mean…they would just eat them right?"

Heat had had enough. It sounded like he wasn't going to get anything out of these nincompoops anyway. He made his way out of the city. Well, so far, so good. He knew where to look. It was the filthy alleys in which he had been with Sera and the children. He blinked and felt something in his chest. He felt confused. What was it?

He thought about the children once more and there it was that feeling again. He took a breath. He smirked to himself; he was getting soft.

'Do I….do I miss those little brats?' he thought; a bit disgusted with himself.

Well, whatever it was, it would have to wait. Now, he had some "Unauthorized Avatar Tuners" to track down.

In a quarter of an hour, he again found himself within the maze of the "hunting grounds". He hated that name. He walked within its walls and alleys, looking and listening for any and every sound that might imply the presence of his comrades. So far, nothing.

He was beginning to feel annoyed. Then, he stopped. He scrounged his nose as he smelled something foul in the air. He almost barfed. It smelled like…blood…and rotting meat. He blinked as he saw the numerous insects fluttering about in the air about him. Whatever was causing this smell…whatever it was, it was close.

He swerved through the corner and there, in the middle of the road, laid the biggest road kill he ever saw. Not that he had ever seen one.

He put his palm on his nose and mouth. Well, it was a rotting body alright. It had been torn from different angles.

'Like a group feeding…' he thought knowingly. He stepped a bit closer to the stinking glob of flesh and saw a weapon a mere meter away from the body. It was a white rod. This must have been a Karma soldier. He smirked; then the people who ate this must be…must be his comrades. He quickly looked around. The body couldn't have been older than a few hours. They may still be here!

xxxxx

He banged the wall with his fist. He had scoured the entire area…but there was no sign of his group. There was the occasional body…but they seemed to lead towards opposing directions. It was nearly sundown. He sighed. He started to walk. He was exhausted. He had eaten a total of four people that day…but his endeavor was so tiring that his mere meals did not replenish his energy enough for him to continue. He stopped, "Damn stomach!" he cursed, hearing his stomach growl.

He was hungry…

And so…

He indulged.

This was their hunting grounds right? Well, it was time that they remembered what it was to feel fear…

It was time for them to know the feeling of being hunted…Being hunted on their very own hunting grounds.

xxxxx

He swallowed slowly, relishing in the taste of the warm flesh and blood that coursed though his throat. It had felt so damn good. He exhaled and opened his eyes, beholding his latest victims. Two karma soldiers…

Oh well…they asked for it. It wasn't his fault…

He blinked and thought…what was he to do now? He wanted to keep searching but something in his gut told him to check on Sera…He had been getting that nasty vibe within him for hours on end…but he just kept it at the back of his head…But now, in this hour…with no further leads…his mind naturally wondered back to her.

Making up his mind, he left for Lokapala.

xxxxx

"What the hell do you fucking mean she's gone?" Heat thundered, slamming his palms on Roland's desk, his dark form looming over him like the grim reaper.

Roland sunk back on his chair, "Well, that's what it means…She left a few hours after you did…She followed you. I wasn't informed of her departure…She must've used the sewers system to get out of the city…"

Heat raised an eyebrow, "Where is this located?" he asked dangerously.

Roland blinked, "It's… located at the back of the city…In a tunnel…" he stammered.

Heat growled but said nothing. He stormed out of the room. He needed to get to her. So she had a few hours head start. That didn't matter. He was a warrior…she wasn't…She couldn't have covered that much ground…considering those tunnels were like mazes…He was sure that she would still be there…

She was a smart girl; she wouldn't let herself be taken…

He nodded; feeling a bit optimistic about the otherwise dire situation.

He strode through the lonely streets of Lokapala and headed for the tunnels when Marty and Sandra came up to him, blocking his path.

He really didn't have time for this. So, whatever these brats had to say, they better say them quick.

"What is it?" Heat growled; he didn't mean to sound…well, mean, but it couldn't really be helped. The more seconds he spent there at Lokapala, the more time Sera was spending wandering around in the sewers.

Damn.

"Heat…we came to tell you good luck!" Sandra said. He nodded and looked at Marty, "Don't get killed man…You better come back."

Heat smiled tightly and quickly replaced it with a menacing look, "Of course I'll come back. Who'll whip your asses into shape? Stay alive kids. You're safe here." Without another word, he dashed from the scene.

xxxxx

He growled as he downloaded his new mantras…He had been in the maze for over half an hour and still, there was no sign of her. Where could she have gone? He had come across some of the Lokapala agents and they had confirmed her presence. Well, that was some progress anyway.

'Sera…why did you not do what I told you?' he thought angrily.

He went through the other section of the maze. He finally reached the final gate…

"Hey, has there been a black-haired girl who passed by here? She's wearing a grey suit like mine." Heat described.

The man nodded, "Sure was. She was here an hour ago."

"Thank you." he grumbled.

An hour.

Hm…

He sped though the remainders of the maze. He wouldn't be able to go back the way he came in though…So, now it was the end game. He had to exit through the upcoming door and make his way throughout the city again.

Heat walked along the walls when he heard a noise. Finally, a breakthrough.

His heart stopped when he heard a voice.

"Let go of me!"

It was unmistakable; it was Sera! She was in trouble.

"So…pretty lady…are you the Unauthorized Avatar Tuner I kept hearing about?" a male voice drawled.

Heat cursed; they were doing something to her. He forced his body to change. The beast within him roared to be released…and he did just that.

He stepped from the shadows, "Get your fucking hands off her!" he roared.

The soldiers trembled before him, "I-it's…the…"

Heat was on the verge of laughing his guts out. These soldiers had atma powers and yet they trembled before him like helpless prey.

Soon, the battle ensued.

Sera closed her eyes shut and clamped her palms on her ears as she crouched at the corner. She heard nothing but the muffled out screams of men and monster…and the splattering of blood. She wanted to cry…She had vowed to save him…but she couldn't. She was as powerless as he was against his atma powers.

She only waited until it was over.

Silence reigned.

Was it over now? She took a slow peek, opening her left eye slowly, "H-heat…?"

Suddenly, she felt herself being hauled to her feet. She gasped as he gripped both her forearms firmly, "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to wait?" he said through gritted teeth. She shook in fear within his arms; his blood-red eyes were filled with so much anger…and so much frustration.

She opened her mouth to speak, "I…I just wanted to be with you…" she whispered, lost in his eyes.

His eyes softened for a second before returning to their fiery original stature, "That's not the point! What if I hadn't been here? You would've been taken!"

She made no move to respond. She knew he had been right. She just wanted to help…That was all. She just didn't realize that sometimes, help wasn't necessary…or…that it caused for things to get even more complicated.

She embraced him, "I'm sorry…"

He sighed and closed his eyes, stroking her hair, "Well…it doesn't matter now…You're here. But next time woman, do as I say!" he snarled.

She giggled; she knew him better now. His snarling and growling didn't mean that he was angry…Not necessarily at least. At times, such as this, it was his way of communicating his feelings for her. He was worried…and he probably didn't want to lose any of his masculinity by being sappy right?

"What the hell is so funny?" he glared at her.

She giggled again and pecked him on the lips, "Nothing…You're just so cute."

He blinked, "Cute…?" No one had ever called him that before. He shook his head; they'd have more time for that sort of conversation once they headed back to Lokapala. Right now, they had to leave the sewers. It was already 2100 hours and he was sure that she was exhausted.

He thought for a moment. The gates would be closed for the night anyway…So that would mean that they wouldn't be able to leave Karma City even if they wanted to. He couldn't leave them to be loitering about in the city…That would be too obvious and too risky.

He sighed; there was no choice.

They were going to have to stay there for the night.

He walked up to Sera, "It looks like we have to stay here tonight."

She said nothing, not asking for any explanation. She valued his judgment and trusted him. He knew what would be best for them both.

xxxxx

They had settled in one of the abandoned cars in the tunnels. The fire had been used to stay warm but had to be put out to eliminate risks of attack. And now, they were both at the back seats of a luxury car, trying their best to stay warm. The air was chilly and stale but it wasn't cold. Well, at least, not to Heat.

The two had cuddled together, preserving their body heat. Heat had draped his cloak on them both, and she snuggled closer to him.

Silence was all that was there.

"I'm really sorry…" Sera whispered, breaking the silence.

Heat tightened his hold on her, "Forget it…What's done is done. I was just worried about you…I can't risk losing you again. It almost drove me crazy!"

She snuggled closer to him, nuzzling her face on his chest, "Never again…I promise…"

"Good…"

Kissing the top of her head, he closed his eyes, letting sleep overtake him. He trusted his instincts. Heat was an extremely light sleeper…Well, when he was in a combat zone. Otherwise, he was as asleep as a log.

Sera continued to lay there, her eyes wide open. She knew it had been a big risk to have come after Heat…but…

She sighed.

It was something that she didn't tell Heat; the real reason why she continued on after him. Ever since he had left, she had felt an ominous feeling around her. It was as if it was telling her that he was endangered. She knew perfectly well to trust her instincts. But then, she asked herself, what could she do?

She didn't even have atma powers.

All she would ever be to him was a liability. But be that as it may, it didn't matter to her. As long as she could warn him of this impending danger, in a chance to save his life, she would easily lay down her life.

This was how much she loved this man.

xxxxx

Morning came too soon for the two and they again found themselves walking through the now slightly familiar tunnels. Heat stopped in his tracks as he sensed multiple targets. His chest tightened. There were many this time. For a moment, he doubted whether or not he could take them. But then again, it wasn't his choice to make, whether or not he could or could not take them.

He just had to. Sera's life was at stake.

It wasn't his decision to make. He sneered; it was another one of fate's little tricks.

The footsteps were getting louder. He heard bits and pieces of their conversation.

"…Th…rea…so…girl…atma…yes…"

"Orders…to…dispose…"

Heat's eyes narrowed into slits. They now knew that he and the black haired girl were together. By his deductive reasoning, it was possible to assume that they were after Sera and that they would dispose of him to get her.

He smirked; typical harebrained strategy.

He looked at Sera who had nothing but worry in her eyes. He stepped from the wall and cupped her face in his hands, "Go and hide. I'll call you when it's over."

Her lips quivered, "But Heat…!"

"What?" he whispered sharply.

"There are too many of them…"

"It doesn't matter. Now, do as I say. Go and hide and don't come out until I tell you."

She nodded and turned around, running. He watched on. He blinked as she stopped and turned to face him once again. What did she want now?

She ran up to him and kissed him passionately for a moment before pulling away, "Be careful…I…I love you…"

He kissed her hand, "I know…Now go."

She did as she was told.

xxxxx

Heat breathed heavily; there was no end to this…He had been consecutively fighting…and they weren't letting up. They just sent wave after wave of soldiers against him. They were really intent in capturing Sera and killing him.

But he wasn't going to give up.

A shriek was heard; he turned around and saw that two of the soldiers held Sera captive. He roared at their direction.

Heat suddenly stopped. "Tch…not so tough now are you?" the Karma soldier taunted. Heat growled and the male spoke again, positioning a knife by Sera's neck, "There's a good boy…Now just sit…and don't move. One false move and your girlfriend here will get it."

"Understand?"

Heat cursed a thousand profanities. How did things turn out this way? How did this piece of shit come to hold of her? But it didn't matter now. The man pointed at him, "You. Change back. I can't let you eat my troops."

"No! Don't do it Heat! Forget about me! You can still escape!" Sera exclaimed from within her captors' arms.

Heat complied, ignoring Sera's requests. He changed back. And as soon as he did, he felt a sharp pain on his head. Then, everything began to spin…and darkness invaded his senses.

xxxxx