Chapter VII:
All traces of peace were erased the instant all the alarms went off, first one by one and from there they covered the entire base with their incessant sound of warning. One that presaged a new threat against the security of the World and from which they were ready to leave for the front. However, others did not think so, but feared something much worse. Even the Eds could not get these doubts out of their heads and so they set off for the "Operations Room".
- Hey, what do you think this is all about, an enemy ship, an advance party to defeat?.- Asked Sarah with interest.
- I can't tell you anything concrete, since we are without any information about it.- Said Kevin, as they continued walking until they arrived at their destination. I hope it's not serious.
Nazz joined him, who had just finished her training with Mio and was now carrying that katana in her hands. The blonde from Peach Creek had a series of thoughts ranging from confusion to astonishment about the white weapon she was carrying. A problem of a personal nature that she could solve by herself and without problems when the moment of truth arrived. She tried to think and see beyond what she had learned with Mio, to get into her life and have an "image" of when that black-haired Japanese woman had handled the "Reppumaru" for the first time. No one can come up with a technique like that or handle any kind of weapon with ease. You are not born knowing or being perfect in any subject of Knowledge and that was something that the American had learned very well with her Sensei - Listen - she called them and the boys stopped, while the "Witch" continued.
Yoshika had seen all that, she was going to intervene to make them keep up but Mio placed her hands on her shoulders, leading her to turn around, seeing her face and an expression that transmitted serenity and confidence. It was then that she turned around and they returned to the path they were walking on.
- Yes, friend Nazz, what's going on?.- Were the questions that came from Rolf's lips to her.
She hesitated, looked to one side and the other, took a deep breath and from there gathered courage to see herself with them, before her eyes, leaving fear behind and from there focused her attention to speak to herself with each word that her mind had chosen and formed beforehand.
- This time it will not be something "simple", friends.- He gave his message and a cold air fell on all of them.- I may be wrong or not, but the Kankers, since they disappeared "mysteriously" after the fall of the "Third Hive" in the Battle of Antarctica and the "Shadow Neuroi" advanced through these lands, to be defeated beforehand, has made me think a lot that this was just the tip of the Iceberg.- He answered with sincerity.
- There is nothing to fear. Whatever happens, we will be together to fight those wretches. They have already caused a lot of damage throughout the world, even before we knew their true nature, they were already a plague to us in Peach Creek.- Kevin supported him, putting his right hand on the blonde's shoulders.- We should have realized it a long time ago, but we took it as something unimportant. We were wrong.
- We all make mistakes, Kevin; but even so, the Kankers are going to pay dearly for what they've done. We will not be their slaves, nor will I be Lee's husband. Nobody is going to force me to marry her.- They heard Eddy's voice, who, for the first time, was not thinking about scams or things related to what he and his friends were doing, but that he was speaking for them and with responsibility.- If we have to fight, then we will do it until the end.- He swore and that led the red-haired man to approach him to hold out his hand, for the first time in his life, leading the short boy to shake it.
- Finally, I was longing to hear something like that in my life. You earned my respects, Eddy.- Said the boy on the bicycle and they headed towards the "Operations Room", but, when they were about to enter it, something happened and awakened fear in them.
- NO, IT CAN'T BE!.- Shouted someone from inside.
- Francesca!.- Eddy recognized and ran out, opening the doors and going down the stairs that led to the center of that place, meeting the "Witches", especially the black-haired Italian woman, who was frozen in her position, without moving, her hands on her face, covering it and when he reached her, he wanted to find out what had happened.
He did not have time to say anything, his primordial instinct took him to the screens, where he could see a series of scenes where several cities were in focus that were burning non-stop, their buildings burning non-stop, debris everywhere, the explosions that persisted due to gas leaks or enemy bombings. Businesses and private homes had suffered the devastating blow of the war, while in the Government Palace the flag of the "Kanker Clan" was raised, before a devastated capital city and its armies marching triumphantly through the streets, raising the banners of a conquest for their leaders.
Francesca's eyes filled with tears, not only of sadness, but also of fury at the sight of that destroyed city and above all the vivid image of the Kankers celebrating to the fullest and setting fire to the national flag, throwing it against a burning business along with other patriotic symbols. And there, in the middle of the fire, inside that "Inquisition" of pure evil, Lee Kanker stood proudly, just like a Dictator who comes to power, feeling the same as Sulla when he took over Romagna in the Ancient Age and launched his campaign of persecutions against his enemies. One of her henchmen directed a drone and it focused on the redhead, whose features marked coldness and a wicked smile crossed her corners towards the camera pointed at her.
- "I hope you got our message, "Witches", oh right, right, I had forgotten something very important: You couldn't get here in time to save this city and the others".- She pointed disdainfully and with one hand pointed towards the devastated Romagna.
Francesca clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.
- Did she say others? Which ones did she mean?.- Yoshika asked Lynne quietly, but neither of them had a close answer.
- They're crazy, that's the thing. They're not like they used to be," Johnny observed.
- You're right, baldies. Rolf thinks the same way you do. This is what Nazz had warned us about.- Replied the stranger, and as he turned around, he noticed that the other "Witches" were looking at the other screens. Ayy no, please, let it not be true. May my Ancestors protect us if it's true.- She threw an oath into the air, as she watched Ed and Double D go to where Erica, Sanya and Eila were.
The first of them, the blonde from Karsland, seeing her home, especially the Capital of the country, Berlin, conquered by the enemy, felt a deep anger inside her, something that even Ed had never seen or witnessed. For their part, Eila and Sanya were speechless at the fall of Suomus and Orussia to the Kankers. Double D ran up to them, hugging them, hoping that there wouldn't be a fit of anger but, deep down, there was a tension that would reach its peak sooner or later.
- Girls, I...- Eds were going to tell each of them but none of them said anything about it.
- Francesca...- Eddy approached but the young girl ran to the runway...- Francesca, wait!...- He asked and went after her.
- No, we can't stay here, they need us, there are people trapped in the city!.- Said Erica, as she followed the Italian's footsteps.
- Don't go, Erica, it could be a trap!.- Ed implored.
- They attacked both Sanya's home and mine. I will show them no mercy, they will pay dearly for their audacity!.- Swore Eila and with the albino they made the same route, while Double D stayed still but, moved by his conscience, he went after them. He could not let them go alone, both he and his friends feared that something much more sinister was developing in the destroyed capital cities.
The other Peach Creek boys, seeing the Eds go after the three girls, stayed in the "Operations Room" a while longer; but it was Kevin who stepped forward to find out what had happened and why it was all so sudden.
- Hey, I know this kind of business is yours, but didn't you see it coming.- Asked the red-haired man, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms.
- This was bound to happen sooner or later, Kevin, but we didn't have much information about the Kankers. Remember that they had disappeared and, no wonder, they used some kind of jamming device to prevent our systems from getting more information.- Minna interjected with a serious tone but explaining, word for word, what had happened. We didn't do it aside, in fact, we were even looking for those wretches for several days but they always hid, changed their location and then we lost their trail.- Added the redhead and the boy raised both arms in the air, as a sign of apology.- No, you don't have to do it, you didn't do anything wrong but, now, we have to go with them.
- What can we expect from the enemy?.- Jimmy asked a rather curious question.
- The main thing will be to fight in formation and united, not to let the "Shadow Neuroi" try to divide us because that will be a problem of catastrophic proportions.- Said Trudie and from there she went with Minna to the outside, "Hurry up, get ready, every second counts.
- Erica!.- Ed called out to her, as the blonde girl had been quicker and was in the hangar, taking her "Striker Unit" along with the MG-42, the MP40 Submachine Gun and the Browing M191A6. The Sci-Fi lover needed to catch his breath but the young woman wasn't going to stay there. She was ready to take off - Erica...
- Ed, you'd better stay here.- She asked with a tone that ranged from seriousness to pity.- Please don't go to Karsland, it will be dangerous. I'll take care of my friends.
- No, I can't. What if it's a trap.- He asked fearfully.
- Whatever it is, I'll be ready for anything.- She said and hung up her ammunition.
- Erica, open your eyes, please, this was a provocation!.- Her boyfriend spoke to her with concern.
- I know, I know, do you think I don't know him?!. They attacked my home, my country, now I will be the one to bring them to justice.- the blonde promised but the boy grabbed her arm, preventing her from leaving.- Don't go on, Ed, please, let me do my job.- She asked and he could see that tears were falling from her eyes.
Once she managed to free herself from his grip, the blonde took a few steps forward but her legs betrayed her, stopping and trembling, not only because of the anguish she felt after what happened in her homeland, but also because Ed's words had penetrated deep into her being, her soul and now she was at a crossroads from which she had no way out. The boy went to her and was about to speak to her, Erica threw herself into his arms, bursting into tears, while he accompanied him in his moment.
Eila and Sanya were about to reach the exit, they were not a few meters away when Double D caught up with them, arriving just in time to make them think again. The albino looked "calm" but that could be a "mask", a facade where her true feelings were growing because of the attack suffered against Orussia, so she stopped when she saw her friend looking back.
- Double D, what are you going to do?.- Eila asked, folding her arms.
- I know it's answering one question with another, but don't you see that this is what the Kankers are after?.- Questioned the boy in the black cap, leaning against one of the walls to catch his breath, "They are ruthless now, from my point of view.
- This goes not only beyond what we saw, but it is also a declaration of "Personal War" against us, Double D.- Eila explained to him, as she took a few steps forward and prepared to leave with Sanya, but he stopped them.
- I understand your situation, I would also go to defend my home if I were in your place, but being guided by emotions will only lead you to your end. You have to understand that we are facing an unscrupulous enemy and the Kankers will stop at nothing. If they go there, alone, they will be easy prey.- She gave her stance and reflection, which Eila thought about and looked at the albino.
- Still, we have to go there, both my people and Eila's people need us, who knows if the Kankers will be taking prisoners to turn them into slaves.- She theorized and a shiver ran down the intellectual's back.
- If so, then I will go with you.- He swore and from there they set off for the hangars to prepare for their journey to the attacked countries.- I promise you that I will fight with all my strength. They will pay dearly for what they have done.
It took a few minutes but with that, the Witches and the Peach Creek boys met in the hangars to discuss the assault plan. Minna and Trudie explained that the first objective would be to go to Romagna and liberate it to cause a "Domino Effect" on the other countries that had fallen to the sudden enemy advance. Francesca listened attentively, Eddy looked at her and understood the Italian's personal situation in those delicate moments. She took a deep breath and once they finished talking, they went to get ready to take off and set course for Southern Europe.
One by one, the "Witches" headed for the skies with the young men. The first ones carried their weapons, ammunition and the "Striker Units", while the others carried the "Magic" inside them.
The trip lasted a couple of hours, crossing the skies of a Europe that was on alert, those present could make out the Italic Peninsula and with it the Capital, Romagna. The scenery painted by the site seemed to be taken from a play belonging to the "Fall of the Western Roman Empire". A "picture" of destruction, death, where columns of smoke rose from the buildings, intermingling with the sky in a "palette of colors" ranging from black, gray and red-orange. The streets were crowded with vehicles that had crashed, overturned and caught fire, some crashing into street lighting and utility poles such as electricity and telephone poles. Others were leaking fuel and sparks from downed wires caused fires and explosions.
Infrastructure such as streets and highways seemed to have exploded inside, with huge holes in the ground and a smell of gas wafted through the air. The occasional car alarm could still be heard but they were also echoing from buildings and skyscrapers. The group walked through another plume of smoke and from there they entered what was once the Romagna Center. Trudie pointed to where the "Fontana Di Trevi" still stood and they descended to touch down in the streets of the capital.
That "Post-Apocalyptic" environment had greeted them and with it no civilian or military presence was visible. Some vehicles of the second category had been left behind and burned by the enemy, including the field hospitals, whose ashes were floating in the air.
- God...- Johnny let out a sigh that was lost in the icy atmosphere.- I have no other words to help me describe what we are seeing before our eyes.
- Relax, pelonchas, I'm in the same situation as you," Kevin reassured him when he noticed that Francesca was walking up some streets that led to the "Financial District" of Romagna.- What's going on, did you see people around here?.- Asked the redhead, but the girl said nothing, she just kept quiet until she went to that area, where a complex of buildings and skyscrapers was rising.
The streets of that area were covered with a thick layer of dust and debris, the air seemed still before the particles of the aforementioned agent and with it were the cars of the "Emergency Services" abandoned. Francesca, for her part, kept running and everywhere she looked, there was only more devastation and no trace of civilians in the area.
- Wait, Miss Lucchini, wait!.- Jimmy asked and just at that moment he saw that someone was raising his hands, making some signs, so the Italian went to that person.
A few meters away there was a man with black hair, youthful appearance and wearing a uniform belonging to the "Romagna Fire Department" along with a helmet. A joy ran through Francesca when she saw that, possibly, there were other survivors in need of help, so she went to this man and when she arrived, she stood before him, receiving the man's military greeting.
- I am very glad to hear that you have arrived, "Witches". I am Commander Polini of the "Romagna Fire Department".- He introduced himself politely and with that he moved on to the next "level", "We have no time for formalities, we need all the help we can get.
- What do you need, Commander?.- Asked Eddy.
- I will explain as quickly as possible: My Comrades and I were sent to evacuate this area and the periphery. We will take the civilians to Venice, Florence and Milan, those three cities have been able to resist the initial attacks of the "Shadow Neuroi", but the problem is that many are refugees in their homes, besieged by those damned war machines.- Said the black-haired man and pointed to the South and West, where the most serious problems were.
Francesca promised and looked towards the building that stood before her and the others. The facade of the building had its symbol painted on the glass doors and columns. There were remains of glass everywhere, both outside and inside due to some nearby bombing, dust covered everything and the alarms were blaring, so the Italian woman took a step forward
- Commander, are there people in this place?.- She asked but Polini shrugged his shoulders.
- We have checked up to the 15th floor but beyond that we fear the presence of the "Shadow Neuroi", they say that no more than 500 meters from here they have taken positions on the rooftops and are shooting at all the aid and rescue teams.- Answered the black-haired man.
- Don't worry, I will take care of this. Eddy, I need you.- Asked the black-haired woman and the short boy entered with her to the Central Hall of the building.
- Be careful, Francesca, it could be a Kanker trap or its structure could be badly damaged by the bombings.- Said Minna and she nodded her head, going deeper into that place together with her partner.
A long staircase led to the second floor, everything was quiet, there were no traces of enemies in the area, but, even so, one could not let one's guard down. There was a fear that this might be a trick by the three sisters, so Francesca prepared her M1919 A6, the Breda-SAFAT 12.7 mm Machine Gun and her Beretta Model 1938A.
- This building has 47 floors and I wouldn't be surprised if the structure is not very well, Francesca. What shall we do?.- Eddy observed and analyzed the situation at that moment and she turned around, finding herself with a calm gesture after that moment of anger against the Kankers.
- Yes, I don't trust too much being here, but this is the plan: We will go through the whole building and make sure that no one is left, as well as making sure that the surrounding streets are free of enemies.- She put the cards on the table and from there they moved on to action.
- All right, let's get going.- Concluded the young man of short stature, but from there they felt a tremor that made the structure of the building move.- What do you think that was?.- He asked, looking everywhere, looking for the source, and from there a thin layer of dust fell from the ceiling.
- Something must be going on up there, in a hurry. Let's go check it out and get out of here.- She said and the couple returned to their work.
In the lobby and entrance of the building were the rest of the "Witches" and the Peach Creek boys. Ed looked out at the accumulation of dust and debris of different types that were there, forming a layer, while other members of the rescue groups appeared, among them several firemen under the command of Polini and a group of policemen together with the "Civil Defense", who were talking with Minna, Trudie, Charlotte and the other girls. The alarm of that building kept ringing along with the others that were there, being an incessant noise.
- Ed!.- Sarah called to him and he looked at her, raising his right hand in the air.- They need us!
He came running to where his sister and Jimmy were, both were talking, while they were still surrounded by that thick layer of dust in the surroundings. It was a little difficult to breathe because of that presence, but, still, they had work to do. Outside again, there were several military detachments bringing out a couple of people on stretchers and respirators. Both Ed and the others felt a pang of sadness at what was happening, it was one thing to fight in the air but, from this perspective, on the streets of Romagna, it was something that would take some getting used to.
- Here comes Commander Wilcke.- Johnny gave the warning and the redhead stopped in front of them.
- All right, listen up, let's comb the perimeter of this area for enemy snipers and cover the evacuation of the buildings...- Between the dust, the noise and the tremors that could be heard in the surroundings, it put more than one on the ropes, they could lose their cool but Minna was someone who was not going to fall so easily. Once she calmed down a bit, she spoke again.- Erica, you will go with Ed, Sarah, Perrine and Jimmy down this street to the North. Rolf, Kevin, Nazz, Johnny will be with the others to the East. Trudie will go with the first group and I will go with the second group.- She gave the orders and no one said anything.
Another explosion nearby. Sweat pearled Kevin's forehead, so he pulled a handkerchief from his right pants pocket and wiped it off. He took a deep breath, it looked like the scene of some war movie or bombing. Nazz was carrying his katana in his holster and Rolf was in front with Lynne and Mio.
- Be careful, don't talk loudly or anything like that. We don't know what kind of enemies will be waiting for us in these parts.- Warned Charlotte and took the safety off her weapon.
It took a while, but finally Francesca and Eddy had managed to climb to the 47th floor of the building. There was no one left inside, which they would report immediately to Polini, but the Italian woman still stood there, looking north, with the City of Romagna before her eyes and the devastation stretching as far as the eye could see. Eddy walked up to her and placed his hand on the black-haired woman's shoulders, as she gave him a regret-laden but hopeful look.
- It's hard to see your home being destroyed. Believe me, there is not a day in which, perhaps, mine has also suffered the same fate.- He told her and closed his eyes, "There are times when I have thought that they, the Kankers, should have remained as the three sisters who harassed us all day long. However, it seems that destiny ends up playing against us," she said seriously.- Maybe words are no consolation for all that has been lost, but, even so, I will not rest until I see them behind bars," she promised and then Francesca turned around.
- I appreciate what you said, Eddy. That was very sweet. Rest assured, together we will beat them. I don't care how or when, but they will fall. They can't hide for so long and even more now, where they have left their disgusting "presence".- the black hair augured, making her boyfriend blush, however, from the distance, someone was watching everything that was happening there and was signaling to a "Shadow Neuroi" who was stationed on the terrace of another building.
- "They finally arrived, damn them. Well, the party has just begun".- Thought that person and from there he took a communications equipment, jumped onto a flying platform and from there he headed towards the mentioned building.
The evacuation round ended without the presence of trapped people or enemies stationed nearby. Possibly the other streets would have the same luck, however, a mysterious glow caught the couple's attention. They turned around and with horror they noticed how that "luminous point" took shape and turned out to be an immense beam with the appearance of a "missile" and that it was heading towards their position.
- Get down, Eddy!.- Ordered the Italian woman and deployed a "Magic Shield", however, the force of the impact sent it backwards, destroying several walls of the offices, as well as causing an internal explosion that blew out the window panes on the 47th floor. Eddy felt dizzy, his ears were ringing from the deflagration and he saw his girlfriend in the background.
- Francesca! Francesca!.- He ran to her aid. He found her on the ground, surrounded by a couple of debris, which he brushed off and helped her to her feet.
- Don't worry, it's just a scratch.- Said the girl with a trickle of voice, recovering from the impact and with that she was helped by her boyfriend to stand up. There were no problems, she was right, she was just dizzy from that attack, however, the mysterious enemy did not appear anywhere, there were only remains that came from the destroyed walls, the holes in them and the dust next to the windows that had exploded by the deflagration.- I do not understand, he came from the West that rival but now...he disappeared.
- This gives me a bad feeling, it may have been a scout and now he is giving the alarm to the others. We should get out of here.- Eddy proposed when a voice was heard in the black hair's communications equipment.
- "Francesca, Eddy, do you read me?".- Called Yoshika.
- I hear you, friend, what's going on?.- The Italian asked.
- "We heard an explosion from the entrance of the building and saw a "Shadow Neuroi".- Minna says that this place is unsafe, the rescuers have completed with the evacuations of the other buildings, but these explosions nearby give us a bad sign. Get out of there as soon as possible," reported the Japanese woman, but something happened.
Just when the brunette from the Fuso Empire finished talking on her radio, a shadow quickly flew over the buildings, calling Rolf's attention, who pointed to that position.
- And now?.- Johnny asked himself when he noticed that the "shadow" pointed its weapons towards that 47th floor.- Yoshika, there, look, it's the attacker!.- The young man alerted when a second explosion shook the facade of another building, causing debris to fly towards the streets. The Sergeant grabbed her equipment and spoke to those inside the other one.
- Francesca, Eddy, leave the building, we are under attack, it is an ambush. We'll cover you, but get out now!.- The brunette ordered and took the safety off her weapon.- Everybody ready, get ready to shoot!.- She ordered and gave the order to start a confrontation.
From that "Shadow Neuroi", the figure that commanded it descended a small black platform until it reached the interior of the 47th floor. It examined the damage and with that it went towards Eddy, who was helping Francesca, since she was still dizzy from the initial impact.
- So my little man wants to protect her with that Italian bitch? It's a pity.- He heard that disgusting voice, so the short boy clenched his teeth tightly.
- Lee.- He said, and she smiled, stepping out of the shadows and giving him a mocking look that had something much more sinister about it.
- See?. It wasn't that hard to say.- She said ironically.- It's a shame to have to admit defeat, one that that wretch has caused.- She pointed at the black hair.
- You were the one who attacked my home along with your harpy sisters.- The young woman said angrily, pointing her finger at him.- You destroyed Romagna, who knows how many innocent civilians died here because of the bombings!
They could hear her laughing, she was enjoying it to the hilt. Eddy turned to Francesca and whispered in her ear something he had discovered.
- They are not like they used to be. Now they are much more dangerous, we can't let them lead us easily and more. This is very serious, we must be careful.- She said and she nodded her head but, when he finished speaking, the cannon of the "Shadow Neuroi" pointed towards them, as well as several of them emerged on foot, surrounding them.
- You know. It's rude to talk behind people's backs, but what does it matter.- She said and after leaving that mocking grimace, he prepared to fight.- Now, Eddy, I'll enjoy torturing that "Witch" you protect so much. Your mind will break, that's for sure, and when you're mine, you'll obey my every command!.- She augured with superiority.
- In your dreams, Lee! I will never be your slave, nor will my friends!.- The young man swore and with that he fired at the Shadow Neuroi's cannon. The latter moved forward but traced a "Magic Shield" that prevented him and his girlfriend from being hit. The place shook completely, dust and small debris fell from the ceiling.
- Eddy!.- Shouted Double D for his friend as he witnessed the new outburst.
In the streets, things were much more complicated, the enemy had come out from several flanks, hidden and began a fierce attack against them, taking them by surprise. The "Witch" responded but they presented a terrible resistance to the shots, they even seemed to be indestructible. Next to the intellectual were Eila, Sanya and Ed, while the others were with Perrine, Mio, Trudie, Charlotte, Lynne and Francesca. At one point, both the silver-haired Northern European and the albino from the East began a flight towards the enemy positions, being observed by Double D.
- They need cover...Cover Sanya and Eila, hurry!.- He pointed and asked his friends, who started a counter-offensive and with that came the other "Witches" who joined in.
From the air, both friends launched a fierce hail of bullets against the "Shadow Neuroi" ships that had appeared there. The shrapnel and armor clash did not seem to be efficient enough to destroy them and reach the "Core". In one of their attempts, Sanya fired several rockets that landed against the streets, hitting the Ground Army enemies and exploding into the air, giving those below a chance to secure the perimeter.
- It's now or never, attack!.- Exclaimed Kevin and Nazz was fired towards the front. In front of her were two "Shadow" warriors that prevented her from advancing but the blonde was faster, drawing her katana and with a powerful bow, she decapitated the first enemy and the other one she pierced his chest, causing it to explode overloaded, proceeding to its subsequent explosion. A third took her from behind but she grabbed his metal neck and pierced it. She ran a few meters, three others were approaching her menacingly but her handling of that technique, taught by Major Sakamoto, were paying off.
Kevin woke up and went to his aid, attacking left and right any enemy that got in his way. Johnny was no slouch either and was facing off against a somewhat large group along with Rolf, Sarah and Jimmy. The albino decided to leave his fear behind and face the danger, following Perrine's teachings, while the stranger attacked with all his might.
Still, the combat did not seem to yield any final result, as for every line of troops that fell, others went to replace them, making it a "War of Attrition". And time was passing, leading some to begin to feel exhausted and seeing that the "Shadow Neuroi" continued to attack with great force.
- Don't give up, we have to push them back from here!.- Ed encouraged them, who was with Erica, fighting in the air and had been able to shoot down several ships that were trying to provide cover for their forces on the ground.
In the air, the situation was much the same. The Kanker“s "muscle" was too strong and more forces were arriving on the scene. Both Ed and Double D realized that things were going to get more complicated as time went on, but the most distressing thing was that both Eddy and Francesca had not reported back.
- Listen, we are going to open a "Corridor" to go to the building and get your friend and Lucchini out of there. I don't know why, but I have a very bad feeling.- Erica informed them, who had managed to destroy another enemy ship.
While they both listened to her, Ed's eyes became as big as saucers as he witnessed an attack directed towards his girlfriend, so he reacted quickly and grabbed the blonde by the hands, pulling her out of the shooting position he was aiming at. Pushing her a few meters away, the young man didn't have time to dodge it or establish a "Magic Shield", so he went full-tilt, launching a scream of pain that tore the air.
- ED!.- Erica's voice sounded anguished and when she saw him fall to the ground, she flew to his aid, grabbing him by the shoulders, just before he hit the pavement, "Ed, hang on, please!.- She begged in fear that it was serious. Yoshika and Lynne went to where he was to give him a hand and from there they saw who was responsible for the shot.
- Did you guys miss us?.- Asked both girls, who had emerged from the shadows, mocking what they had just done.
[Well, as I said, things have gotten complicated in this chapter and we'll see what will happen in the next one. Brace yourselves, because this Arc has only a few chapters left and from there we'll move on to the next one.
I send greetings and thanks to Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the other followers of Fanfiction and Wattpad.
I wish you a good beginning of March and I warn you that, very soon, I will translate this story to English.
Take care, friends and have a great Tuesday from me].
