Chapter X:

The wind from the North Sea stirred the hair of Rolf, who breathed in the sea "fragrance" and then closed his eyes, remembering those times in his homeland with his family. He was next to Lynne, with whom he had begun to talk about rural life and the effort one had to put into tilling the land and caring for the animals. Yoshika's friend turned and looked at him, leaning against the iron railing that protected that edge with the cliffs and rocks below, so she leaned back.

- There is something I would like to ask you, Rolf.- Said the girl from Brittania, catching the stranger's attention,

- Sure, no problem, tell me.- He answered and looked at the young woman.

- Tell me something: Do you get along well with the Eds?.- Asked the English woman and at that moment, Rolf was silent for a while. Hesitating, she could hear him babbling or mumbling under his breath, looking for some concrete answer and playing with his fingers until, all at once, he made his decision.

- Look, Lynne, I...it's not that I hate them. I mean, Rolf has no problem with the Edd kid, but with Eddy and to a lesser extent Ed they're the problem. The last thing they did, especially Eddy was horrible, but now I feel like I'm in one of those old movies where you're trying to survive in a devastated world.- The young man said sincerely and she understood the situation.

- I understand you: Well, what you said about that short guy is true. Making Jimmy a wedgie but he framed them for something he didn't do...- Lynne stopped, extended her hands and gestured with them her point against it.- Anyway, don't feel weird, I'm going through the same thing: Nobody expected the "Neuroi" to come back but with a new generation.- Said the girl and it was true.

- Neither did I, my friend Lynne. Not even Rolf can understand this scenario.- Said the young foreigner and they stared out at the North Sea.

Absolute calm, the wind blowing and the waves lapping against the cliffs. This place could not be described by the state they were in: the world was under a real threat and they were following their situation in that military base until news of the first enemy offensive arrived. At that moment, Rolf and Lynne's thoughts were interrupted by someone approaching them and they turned to see who it was.

- Sorry if I'm interrupting your conversation, folks.- They recognized the voice.

- No, on the contrary, we were just finishing our conversation.- Lynne replied with kindness in her voice.

- Oh, all right. Rolf, there's something I'd like to ask you.- The person wanted to know.

- Sure, my friend Edd, tell me what you need.- Said the young man and went over to him, placing his hand around his shoulders in a friendly manner.

- It's about your barrels that you brought from Peach Creek, could you analyze their composition?.-He offered, although for the foreigner it sounded a bit strange, since it was his family's property, so he kept quiet for a while and thought about it thoroughly.

- Let's see.- He asked for a moment and folded his hands, looking at the boy.- You have a mission, my friend Edd, but what do you plan to do with it?

- I want to see its composition and also try to find some way to lengthen the effect to combat the "Witches".- Explained the young man in the black cap, catching Lynne's attention.

The girl had heard that, that they wanted to give them a hand because of the Kankers , but this was not a simple war, but one that surpassed the limits of human imagination. A fight where the fate of the whole world hung on a very thin thread and they would face any kind of threat that the "Neuroi" imposed on their way. He noticed that Rolf folded his arms and shook his head at these moments of indecision.

- Well, it's true, if it hadn't been for them, we would have been lost, but returning the favor won't be easy: Let's do this, I'll let you investigate the contents of my barrels but you can't divulge it to anyone, okay.- He let the young man do that and gladly accepted.

- I give you my word, nothing will happen.- Swore the smart guy and held out his hand, although, at first, the foreigner was thoughtful but gave in.

- All right, you can do it, my friend.- Rolf finished with the "pact" they made and with that he accompanied him to where the barrels were.


The meeting with the "High Command" was over, Minna together with Trudie and Francesca left that room, which was a virtual chat, since the military were in different parts of the world, carrying out the evacuations of the big cities, the installation of shelters for those fleeing from them and trying to stop the riots and looting that did not seem to stop at any time. The Officers left and the doors closed, while they were walking through the corridors of the headquarters installed in Brittania.

- The East Coast is in chaos and the same in the West of Liberion.- Said Trudie with a serious air in her voice, looking at her friends.

- Yes, it's true, the same is true in much of Europe. They say that Paris is a hotbed of chaos.- Added Minna, who had her hands behind her back and sighed deeply, "I find it hard to believe that those three sisters were the granddaughters of that cursed Dr. Reginald. I don't understand how he could have been able to do his research, even after the war," the Commander wanted to know and then Trudie looked at her out of the corner of her eye.

- Remember General Mallory, he had no scruples, not even if lives were in danger with "Project Warlock", which ended up getting out of control," said the dark-haired Karsland, "As soon as they attack, we will return fire.

- It is true, we cannot allow these people to suffer again what happened in 1939. There has already been too much bloodshed for it to happen again.- They heard Francesca, who was right.- Italy is still calm, but who knows when they will attack.

None of the Officers said anything about it, there was no answer they could give for a moment like that and time was running out, so they started on their way to address the other Witches and the Peach Creek boys when suddenly they noticed Double D, Rolf and Lynne heading towards one of the warehouses at the end of the corridors. They followed in their footsteps and then noticed that they entered the interior of the cellars in search of something that was in storage.


The interior of the cellars was cold, you could feel that presence in the air, the white mist was coming out of the mouth of Double D, who was escorted by Rolf and Lynne. There could be seen a large amount of supplies of all kinds, especially food, but that was not what the boy in the black cap needed, but something else. They walked until they reached the back of the place and came across a corner full of objects of different sizes until they came to the foreigner's barrels. He asked them to wait a few seconds, went to them and removed the lid, seeing the viscous contents but emanating a sweet fruity aroma that made the imagination fly.

- You can help yourself, friend Double D.- Rolf said but the young man shook his head, moved his hands and took a syringe with which he obtained what he was looking for.

- I would like to know more about this compound that you have.- Asked the boy and with that he went to the corridors but they noticed that three people appeared on their way.

- What are you doing here?.- Asked Minna to those present.

- I am very sorry, Commander, but I was the one who asked to come here. I needed to extract some of the contents in Rolf's barrels.- The young man interjected and offered his pardon for the intrusion.

The orange-red hair looked at the syringe containing the aforementioned liquid, Rolf was putting the cap in place and was approaching to talk to them, however it was Trudie who calmed the waters.

- It is not forbidden to come in here, but they must come with a companion, something could happen to them, although...- She looked at Lynne, who thought she would be criticized but she wasn't.- Don't worry, Lynne, you did well to go with them.

- Is everything all right, Trudie? Is there any news about the Kankers?.- Asked the Englishwoman, but the Karsland girl shook her head.

- No, not yet, we only know that the world is sinking completely. All over Liberion there is chaos in the streets, many cities are being evacuated and the same is being reported in Europe and other nations.- Answered the young woman.- I can only tell you that we will have to wait until the first news arrives.

Double D looked at the contents of the syringe and put it in one of his pockets. There was no time to lose and the World needed to be saved from the clutches of the enemy. At first he was hesitant to see what kind of trouble that could lead to.

- Excuse me. Thank you, Rolf.- Thanked the black-capped boy and went out of the cellars into the corridors


While Double D was heading towards his room, where he had set up a small laboratory, Yoshika was outside, near the beaches, where he met Johnny, who was enjoying the beautiful view with Tablon.

- Awwww, this is the life, isn't it, buddy?.- Asked the bald guy to the wooden board, remaining silent for a while and then he got his answer.- Ohh yeah, you said it.

Just as he was about to close his eyes, the boy noticed that someone was approaching him and that led him to focus more to get a closer look at her. At one point, he noticed who it was.

- Oh, Sergeant Yoshika, excuse me, I...- He apologized to the soldier, who laughed and then took him by the hands, since he slipped and almost hit the floor.

- Relax, Johnny, I came here to see if you were okay.- He said calmly and then took a seat next to him.

- Ah, hehehe, thanks, I don't usually talk much with people other than my friends from Peach Creek.- Said the boy, which caught the other's attention.

- Not a single new friendship have you been able to make, Johnny?.- Asked Yoshika but he shook his head silently.

- No, my parents always said that it was better to stay in the village, since they love me a lot but they over-protect me too much, that's why I don't make many friends, except with Kevin and the others.- Said the big-haired boy at that moment, looking at the floor and holding Plank in his hands.

- And tell me something: would you like to be friends with me?.- The Japanese woman offered, taking the other one by surprise.

- Really? You don't see me as a weirdo.- He asked, but she shook her head.

- Not at all, Johnny.- She gave her word and that made the Peach Creek boy feel much better.

- Then I accept it.- He concluded, and with that they stood talking on the beaches.


Back at the main office, Minna and Trudie had started watching the news on TV, the Internet was like an active volcano: Pictures and videos kept coming in of what was happening in the big cities, where people were trying to flee for their lives, to avoid being attacked by the Cruels and so on, but there were also those who were looking for their own benefit, The forces of order and the military had their hands tied to contain such a "tide" of criminals and troublemakers, so in many cases, it was necessary to implement more severe measures such as the death penalty for anyone who committed looting and riots against public order.

- Are they enjoying it?.- The dark-haired girl wanted to know.- It seems as if this were a movie where they enjoy eternal suffering. I don't know how it is possible that they haven't attacked yet.

- They know very well that they are playing with us, but if they try, we will stop them and send them to prison for a long time.- Swore Minna, who was reviewing the documents.- They are still evacuating the Midwest and the South, many people are reluctant to leave their homes and businesses for fear of losing everything. He brought a hand to his face, his concern for the safety of the citizens was evident but, in this case, they knew very well that the orders were given and everyone had to obey them, since no one was going to guarantee them protection when the fighting broke out.

- Don't blame yourself, Minna.- Trudie spoke to her and headed for the door.- I'm going to get a coffee, would you like one?.- He asked and she responded with a "Yes" shaking her head.- Okay, I'll be right back.


Meanwhile, back with Double D in his room, he was closing the door. He was about to slam the door when he noticed a certain girl sleeping in his bed. He had not noticed her until his eyes caught sight of her, he tensed up and stopped his action just in time. He knew very well that it was an extremely unpleasant thing to wake up a person who was resting deeply and even more so when he was in a bad mood, so he closed the bed slowly and quietly. Once he had finished his work, the boy wiped off the cold sweat that had been on his forehead for a while and from there he went to his small laboratory that he had on a work table.

He deposited the syringe, pulled up a chair and took a seat, although he wondered what that albino girl was doing sleeping in broad daylight. It was a good question, since he did not have enough time to get to know those who were his "Guardians". He had been present, before leaving Peach Creek with the others, that each boy was assigned a "Witch" to take care of them, being Eila and Sanya the ones designated for him, by Minna and Trudie's orders, while Ed was with Erica Hartmann and Eddy with Francesca.

For him, his case was different, he didn't know what kind of tastes both girls had, he wasn't even sure if they would be interested in talking about Science or other preferential topics, being relegated to the sidelines. As he sat in his chair and was placing a few drops on a glass platform and then examining it under the microscope to take notes on his research, he heard the silver-albino girl move from one side of the bed to the other, to the left, where the sun would not reach her eyes.

- I should close the curtains, but then I'll run out of natural light for my research.- He thought, turning in his chair, and from there he made the decision to do so.

He got up, drew the curtains a little so that he would not be bothered by the sun and from there he looked for a small lamp that he had in his suitcase, which allowed him to carry out his scientific work until he obtained the first results. Over a glass lens, the young man kept his eye on to see if there was any change, but in the first few minutes nothing was reported, so he wrote it down in his notebook. He injected some new drops on the surface and waited.

This work was going to take all day, so he kept his mind awake by reading one of his books and checked the lens for every minute that passed. At that moment, the boy noticed something that caught his attention: The molecules that were there were joining and fomented a peculiar luminescence, so he proceeded to go more into the matter until, suddenly, he felt that a shadow obscured the light, he turned and ran into that girl who was with the albino all the time.

- What are you doing here, don't you know that Sanya is sleeping? You shouldn't barge into our room like this.- He asked in a low voice, pointing to where she was.

- I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I was investigating the contents of Rolf's barrels.- He replied to the silver-white hair, who folded her arms.- I won't make any noise, I promise. I give you my word...

- Eila.- She gave him her name, the boy nodded his head and waved his hands, understanding the message she gave him. At first, Sanya's friend looked at him coldly, since the moment the albino had chosen to be the "Guardian" of that young man, she didn't like that decision at all.

- Okay.- Spoke the silver-white haired girl with a moderate tone, "I'll let you through this, but don't want to upset Sanya and much less do something to make her cry, because, otherwise, you'll regret it.

- I would never do anything dangerous to your friend, Miss Eila. I swear.- Double D promised, trying to gain at least a little support from her, but it was hard.

The girl's gaze remained fixed on the other's, who was trying to explain the situation to her but it was not working. From the beginning, just when they were choosing each one of them for their "Guardians", with the young man with the black cap it was a hard choice, since it was Sanya who chose him but Eila didn't have much confidence in him, she just looked at him coldly until she took a deep breath.

- Okay, but don't do anything to him, okay?.- She asked and Double D nodded his head.

At that moment, the crystal lens began to shine brightly and the first results appeared that caught the attention of the intellectual boy.

- Fantastic.- He said and then went to analyze what was there. It's...it's incredible," he said and that caught the attention of Eila, who approached to take a closer look and see what was there.

What she had gotten was a start, however, at that moment, alarms began to sound throughout the HQ.


[I'm sorry if it took me a long time to update this fic, friends: But patience, I'm getting my notebook back this week, after almost three weeks of repair, so I'll be able to make more progress with this project and the other one I have.

The first interactions have started, although not very well, especially for Double D with Eilia, it will take time, no one makes a friendship so fast. On the other hand, in the next chapter we will see the Cruels and the first enemy attack, starting with a flashback.

I hope you like this chapter and I'll be seeing you Comrades.

I send greetings and thanks to all of you.].