A/N: Happy Fourth of July! Yes, I'm American.
NetherOrbit: I too trust random books to give my closest friends superpowers...XD
Den3424: Nothing to comment really, cause Tai wasn't here! Good to be back!
Enjoy!
January 6th, 2023
-Lisbeth
My eyes opened to a green, slimy cave ceiling, its rippling mass doing little besides disgusting me with all of its spiky patterns. There was no sun down here, this place's as cold and dry as a bone in a freezer. Drawing Aid's jacket, I encased myself in its fur lining, shivering softly as I gazed to what changed. With every breath came a near automatic hitch, the air's dust thick as bricks. A set of light blue robes hung off an old, dusty cabinet.
"Tomorrow we begin your induction, you're more than ready."
I wasn't scared of Acherres, but something about his gaze kept me turning in that old bed. My head spun at prior imagery, scrambling at what seemed so obvious, yet so bizarre. His gaze wasn't comforting, even with so much effort put into his smile. Their depths held something I shouldn't look at, grossed by some sense of otherness. He spoke kindly to me, but still I found myself begging for sunlight.
Looking to a far off door, I rose with an uncertain steadiness. My arms kept closed around shoulders, stiff as stone to whatever those pale blue runes might do. They surrounded me, their light levels shifting with an irregularity unmistakable. Routine didn't matter to these things, neither did anything else. I veered around any and all objects, no matter how normal they seemed. A brief shudder rippled through, a green flash demanding my gaze.
[Quest Updated!]
[Join Acherres, partake in the ritual]
My stomach's walls deflated before diving in retreat, this notion of ceremony reminding me of a time of unbroken status. Asuna had robbed us of it, there was no story good enough to convince me it was anything other than disagreement. Thing was, I couldn't for a second consider it all a matter of personal gain. But what was it?
Moving down the dim lit halls of a living grave, I played at what I'd say to the old wizard. Humor was usually enough, but with him? Yesterday's attempt was sidestepped with a slickness I hadn't seen, all that while watching me with an uncanny intent. I passed by security, their dogs bearing an eye color homogeneous with breathless masters. My legs picked up with a tight spring, masking what evasive urge crept through me.
These robes made a good fit, their stats surprisingly decent at defending against one thing, stray pencils. It made so little sense, my hands moving to shroud portions with bronze, leaving an admittedly tacky combination of orange and sky blue. It took me a few minutes to find the place, being this lair had as many holes as a sink sponge. Still I stopped within spare feet of the marker's goal, reining my breath and mind.
In a circular crevice resided an excited looking Acherres, whose offhand rested firmly on an ornate chair's backing. With a few other "observers" staring away, a soft smile was what seemed most fitting. It was returned, Acherres' greeting modest as he motioned towards the seat, a beaming expression impossible to hide.
"Kirito," Acherres said with a quick glance, "pass it over."
Our little helper removed his hood with a quick toss, placing some sheets of very clean, almond colored material upon a small table. Its soft, moist surface was enough to translate what instinct suggested, the corner of my lip pressing as I glanced away. Thread and needles were easy to spot, with old hands nearing my mechanical left. Hovering inches away, Acherres' head leaned softly.
"May I?" Acherres asked softly, "this won't hurt. I promise you that."
"Was hoping you'd get me a drink first," I said with a smirk.
"Easily done."
"Wait, wait," I said while briefly shifting in my seat, "joking."
"Hm, do humans joke this way often?"
"Only when it's funny," I said with a smile, "go ahead, I signed up for this."
He nodded before his long digits draped mine with foreign skin, its forced wrap and gathering I dared not look for fear of disgust overpowering me. With only Kirito in immediate sight, an eased sigh broke out.
"Does he do this often?" I asked, giggling weakly.
"You have no idea," Kirito said with a faint smile.
"It's an old procedure," Acherres said as he worked, "can hardly recall when I was taught this. It is a rarity, finding anyone as long-lived as I."
"Why is that?" I said without looking.
"Ignorance," Acherres said strongly, "was an insult throughout my youth. But as we all believe to know, time changes everything."
A warmth grew around metal knuckles, a sensation I hadn't received in some time since Cel gave my hand a job. A quick lift of fingers was met with a stretch of fiber.
"You have beautiful hands, Lisbeth." Acherres said, taking these glowing globes from over his head. "not a callus on them. Are you house built?"
"I've got no clue what that means," I said sheepishly.
"I suppose not then, my comment still stands."
"Thank ye," I said whilst hiding my grimace, "wait, don't ya mean hand?"
"You're not the only Mechanist who misses their old hands, Cygotha is a merciful one this way."
"That the god you worship? Odd name."
"It's pronounced Cygot-ha," Acherres said with a sharp glance, "the ignorant may call him that, but we're better."
A swift apology was given and accepted, though I couldn't help but think of this strange name. Wouldn't elves have a god with a prettier name? Then again, this was supposed to be evil zombie god electric boogaloo, it'd be crazy to expect otherwise.
"So where're you from?" I asked.
"Atlea, the iron belt."
Moments passed with a tingling sensation growing, a previously bronze finger capable of detailing old wood. Stroking softly, a lack of clipping brought an unceremonious pause.
"Does it bring nails back?"
"Those take time," Acherres said, "course they'll be bronze in color. There is nothing I can do to adjust that."
"A'right," I said with a nod, "so what got you in a place like this?"
"Pardon?"
"Why are you here? This place is dark, lonely."
"It's an ideal place for someone of my profession," Acherres said while releasing my newly covered left hand, "some weren't exactly pleased with my method of profiteering. Insulting as their word was."
"I understand," I said with a slump, "people never like businessmen that much. They think we're soulless."
"Indeed!" Acherres leaned down, "they fail to realize that a great many things require forethought," his gaze lifting, "farmers understand this perfectly well. Not like Atleans are known for great planning."
Had no idea who Atleans were, but this name was present on an item I gave Haru.
"What was your profession?" I asked softly.
"That," Acherres said while putting materials away, "is a bit more personal. I'm sorry, but some wounds do not heal as quick with age."
"Maybe I can help," I said, "I can't imagine it being easy, without anyone to really speak to."
"Maybe," he nodded, "Kirito, bring her to the first chamber. The one I haven't stuffed with broken parts."
"Yes, master."
Air brushed between revived fingers as I gave grateful bows, Acherres watching me as I passed with a softened gaze. I was digging in, though I honestly was curious, but only enough to last me a second's eye contact. They dragged me like a fish through rapids, the destination masked by an unseen treachery. Kirito ushered me silently down an adjacent hall, my menu indicating this to be a northern passage. Blue eyes of consistent shade tracked us, the bodies they called home dissimilar to who gave my left new life. Still, their snitching gazes shut me up. I knew these were transmitting, their detail matching Acherres' pupils.
"Was easier than I thought," Kirito said quietly, "I'll be heading out once I show you the place."
"Mm," I said with a lowered chin, "before you go. Why thirty?"
A slight hitch in his breath would've been impossible to hear, were it not for Acherres' cave walls. Was such a strong reaction to a seemingly easy question, my own breath silently slowed for moments after.
"Just seemed like a lot," I said, "[Slaughter Mauls] cost around eight, and those're bigger than us."
Kirito remained quiet, his eyes kept wandering left and right as we walked through, blood vessel webs bulging with newfound stress. A booming laugh rang out behind us as we waded past walls of dust, vocals of an unknown soul echoing through halls untrafficked. Its pitch shifted with time, as matters more sinister than decay had taken roost. Shivering from its unbecoming resolution, I looked to my guide again.
"Why so stiff about that?"
"Could you stop asking? God, you're nosy."
My tongue curled, my gaze averting before he sighed.
"It's bad enough, hearing its demands."
"It?"
"Couldn't describe it if I haven't seen it. Acherres' toys don't always stay quiet."
I looked to my reformed left hand, shrinking back at what suggestion had alluded to. What if this was a means of control, what if I fell for something? A creaking of wood brought to my eyes a messy sight, of bronze and gray metal all stacked into piles exceeding me in height. Scattered pieces stuck out on all sides, Kirito clinging to the door's frame as I passed.
"I've fought those things," he said with a casual point, "[Carri-on] are tough, especially for a sword user. To think they were the rusted, near broken variants."
"How'd you beat 'em?" I asked, these staked bodies trembling me with their mangled modifications.
"The pipes," he said, "doubt anyone would've figured that out on their first try. Just don't breathe what comes out, it's nasty."
"Huh," I said with a brief nod, surveying all left to my stead.
Acherres' men were nowhere in sight, nor were there any of those weird glowing runes. Double checking, I raised my posture. A suffocating silence brought me turning, facing my shifting guide.
"Why thirty?"
Kirito's expression turned evasive, avoiding my gaze.
"I'm just curious."
His head lowered briefly, eyes closing before his grip loosened.
"Mate," I said with a low tone, "this hidin's makin' me uncomfortable."
He turned without warning, his [Agility] propelling, granting him an easy escape as I lunged for a quick take down. Finding only air in my grasp, I pursued as he turned a corner.
"Kirito!"
I kept running for many moments, aided only by rushing footsteps, pace slowing as his distance exceeded closure. I shivered again before crouching, fingers curling tight against my palms as I called once more. No response arrived my way, every fear his silence bought left on me like a hefty bill. Why would he hide something that trivial, unless it led to other plans. What was he doing?! This ass-clown just had to answer why!
Blue cloaked figures passed me by, their gait and pace exact. Watching them walk with such precision made my eyes burn. Kirito's gonna turn him into one of these freaks, and I was stupid enough to believe him. My head lowered, a coiled left fist mashed against stone. Something had to be done, I had to protect him. My mind flooded with sights of bronze, of flickering glass crushing and breaking under feet of steel.
I wandered back to my work site, shaking as I closed that stupid door behind me. Acherres used corpse and bone to fight for his cause, an avenue effective to an extent. Fingers drew a dark gray sample, [Item Appraisal] calculating origins with a swirling crumb of white. With all manner of metal stacked before me, a simple truth shone through.
[Aluminum - Class C Metal]
A hammer was raised with a tight grip, smoke pluming from my nose as sparks flew. Dry, dead bones were no match for alloy and metal. I would bury Acherres in it, until only sand remained. But when I opened my [Mechanist] menu, an array of new, perverse alterations were found.
Metals were only half of my necessities, leaving out demands of less perfect things. While I craned back, it only slowed what had already churned in my mind.
Sun Dancer
January 6th, 2023
Taiyama
My horse's head tossed as gloves tugged reins, its gentle pace leading with a chorus of marching boots. A faint aroma brushed on, freshly trimmed grass the closest guess I could make. Behind me walked six hundred men, their physique cringe inducing, roundness a common trait. Looking towards our nearing target, a lingering bubble under my lungs left me swaying.
Asuna's departure left fingers curled near a towed [Spear], no heat or gentle breeze succeeding in distraction. I had to be quick with this transaction, I couldn't let Nobel take initiative in waging continued assaults. He had to be responsible for Urbus' recent surprise attack, the cries of hundreds tightening my grip as I stopped my steed.
My gaze hardened and raised, pale yellow rows of bricks stacking well over fifteen feet before us. Perched over a hill's crest, its gaps brought sets of contrasting, partly concealed wooden scaffolds. With its placement only a few miles north of Urbus, it left any possible doubt to dry, this was a strategic placement, not an accident. They gathered in front of a thick, wooden gate, their open fingers clutching [Halberds] stiffly.
The pig waddled among them, his double chin hard to miss among forces of heart and thin limbs.
"Nobel," I said before clearing my throat, "are they resisting me, or just you?"
"I told them to stay home," the fat rodent said, "but they'd rather greet you...and your friends."
My band of six hundred stood in tight formation, their bronze armor bright under a noon sky. Helmets darkened faces, many lips sighing with relief at so much as a breeze. Pauldrons tilted as I returned eyes from inspection, their underlying layers wet with sweat, a child of fear and heat. Readied before me, Nobel's lie of 'voluntary service' seemed so pointless, their weapons shivered beside stiff shoulders. The second I struck, they'd run like kids. They knew who led them, what was the point?
"They should know it's only you I want," I raised my chin, "betraying the Protectorate, allowing undead passage into Urbus, murder, shall I continue?"
"Only if you have proof," Nobel said with a smile, "I doubt my list of crimes would fit with all that gear you brought."
I drew my scroll, its end flopping softly after a brief bob above my knee.
"Signed and reviewed," I said, "how would you like to go?"
"Judging by what I see, alive is out of the question."
"Don't get my hopes down," I said with a chuckle, "only you will be losing out."
Nobel looked around himself, past his men and towards my own. A tilt of his head and soft squint brought eyes back to me.
"You're right, Altai." he said before pausing, "oh I'm sorry, Taiyama. Hm, I wonder how he'd feel about this."
"Why would it matter?" I said with a scoff, "he had to deal with your guys too."
"It was rhetorical," he smiled before softening his voice, "why don't we put these weapons away? If proof holds out, I will let you arrest me."
An internally spawned cold emerged from boiling depths, swallowing my gut as I witnessed such a tactless bait. There wasn't going to be communication, only ambush and death if I so much as blinked away from this rat. He was stroking my ego, hoping I'd appease him.
"You know what?" I said with shoulders back, "fuck you. Surrender, or I'll burn your town to dust."
A yellow toothed grin widened, the pig laughing as he shook his head.
"Very unwise, Taiyama. But I will abide, we'll see who is left burning."
[Halberds] lowered with a swift motion behind me, Nobel's men shifting back to their castle's entrance as their master turned away. Whipping my horse's reins, I set it towards my nearest commander, my cuirass's padding pressed by a working heart. He looked from below his helmet, a smug expression impossible to miss.
"Go, Kain."
"My way, or yours?"
"Yours."
Smugness faded with a raise of fingers, his weapon of choice drawn with greater subtlety. Hollering to his men with a whipping [War Club], our first group stepped forward hurriedly, the second drawing strings after a brief retreat. Nobel's guys hurriedly closed their gate, dense wood thumping as our arrows turned its surface prickly with notched backs.
"Aim high!" Kain said with a controlled shout, "make it rain! Alpha group, break it down! Charlie, plant shields!"
This third group fell back behind archers, my turn swift as their flanks faced us.
"They're retreating!"
"Nope," Kain said, "this they know."
Our first group bashed against high doors, every boom weakening their barrier as hammer, axe, and [Spear] gouged through splintering chunks. Bravo's arrows turned near vertical, showering Nobel's battlements with hardened tips. Their stone teeth ticked and scratched as men shouted in unison, forcing New Shanghai's gates open with innumerable shoves.
"Gonna get interesting in a sec," Kain rubbed his brow, "fuckers gonna lash out once that gate opens."
"How do you know they won't run?" I asked, looking down from my horse, "we're already breaching."
"Used to be a zookeeper," he said as he rolled shoulders, "animals are always crazy when backed to a wall."
A low groan broke out, masked at first by cheers as wooden scrap broke before armored columns. Exhilaration was sweet, sunlight breaking out between panels, cut short by an eclipsing [Halberd]. Shouts turned to cries as red washed over gray and green, an axehead's bite ridding our first man of his neck.
A wince was immediate, shoulders and back leaning away as men mashed against one another. It had only been a single player dropping, but his fate rippled through his friends faster than fire and oil. Some pushed in, raging and gnashing for blood as defenders rushed to push their wooden protector back in place.
Others turned away without second thought, trapped in a tightening vice of fury, pitted against friend and foe as they begged to regroup with saner minds. Polearms rose and dove like birds of prey, drawn back like a hoe across soil, a red and white underbelly unearthed with unmitigated replies. Pain, it was all pain.
"Better get back into formation," Kain said in an annoyed tone, "rats won't give them a chance."
My eyes set on my commander, heat building as his people begged for help, others for their mother as medics rushed in to pull away the disposed. His archers announced a shortage of rounds, to which Kain said for them to regroup behind their rally point. They moved with haste and panic, their eyes bright with feelings I couldn't bear to stay for.
"I can't do this," I said shakily, dismounting my horse and drawing a [Spear].
"You have to!" Kain said, grabbing my arm, "let them handle this!"
"They need help!"
My shoving legs forced loose his grip, racing me in as dozens stacked upon a broken gate. Their screams, their unending repetition, it all choked what emotions I held mere moments before. I was suffocating in it all, muscles instinctively forcing a cough out of me as I pressed against armored backs. Bronze looked so strong, yet it seemed to break so easy against man.
"Back in formation!" I said with a near broken voice, "don't rush!"
An arrow whizzed by, its target spinning and shrieking as a socket absorbed stone and wood. This horrible machine churned as glass broke below us, shoulders aligning side by side, their participation voluntary. Kain's men returned to formation, stepping over dropped poles, kicking aside helmets as they marched.
"We're gettin' zoned!" a lone soldier said, "where's support?"
I glanced back to an open field, its green turning dull as bows stuck out from behind planted shields. Kain waved them quickly, arrows sweeping overhead. Chinese forces were struck by the dozen, armor clapping as tips bent against plates, voices crying as others met cloth. Nobel was nowhere to be seen, the monster clearly hiding in safety as his people bled.
Many more bright eyed townsfolk rushed our formation, their weapons varied in form. Regardless of spirit or intent, they met [Spears], [Halberds], and swords. My boots mushed against substance, sinking into matter I could live a lifetime without knowing. Arrows fired high over covered heads, succeeding only in concealing others from sight.
I could hear Kain race behind me, firmly gripping my shoulder moments later.
"Go back, Tai."
"But what about them?" I said, looking towards his men.
He raised a crooked finger, to another set of walls resting higher up, a gate of metal bars waiting.
"Are you serious?!"
"My king, I would recommend we slow our advance. Hold here and allow reinforcements to arrive."
"Will it keep Nobel in there?"
"If there're no emergency exits, which I sincerely doubt. I can request scouts, but Kibaou's sent most of them north."
"Why?" I whipped my head as Kain ordered a halt.
"Floor three's of greater interest to him, it's foundation work."
"Foundation? We need to make sure our home's secure first!"
"It wasn't my decision, I'll do everything I can."
Unbelievable, made me wish I had Tauran to command. Either way, all forces from beyond these near complete walls poured inside, forcing a raise of hands...or a fall of heads.
Sun Dancer
-Asuna
"They spoke of many gods," Garr said, "none with any good soul. Hell, it took Asterius weeks to convince 'em to give me names."
"Hm," I said, looking over to a crowded bed.
Poor Oran hadn't moved since we brought him back, said there's no way he's gonna fight.
"Their info though," Garr said with a shake of his head, "was too vague. All they knew was how to dispel mutation, that their god would purify if given offerings."
"Lemmie guess," Haru said with a groan, "human sacrifice?"
"I could've worded that better," Garr said with a nod, "no, they said a temple and some gold. Something about him eating it."
"A god that eats gold," Graye said while seated beside Oran, "wouldn't be the worst thing here, would it?"
"Sounds weird," Leafa said as she rested against a wall, "what do these things look like?"
Garr had informed me of these things, as best as he could at least. He was at least honest, how he didn't know all that much. I could even understand why he'd hide it from us, that promise of power without knowing the side effects. If only some people in my life were this concerned for others. I rose from my spot as Leafa continued her inquiry.
"By their accounts?" Garr shrugged, "nothing any of us would like to see."
"Garr?" I asked, "can we talk outside? It's nothing bad, just...wanted to clarify something about Lis."
Garr lumbered up like a gorilla, every muscle in his frame in motion as he stepped past a door of reeds.
"When're we going back?" Leafa asked as I passed, "my students are losing training time."
"Something tells me it won't be tomorrow," Kuradeel said with a serious tone, "will have to see what this bear hunting business is."
Sun kissed my face as I quickly inspected hair, lips pressing as i removed stray twigs. Truth was, I was done with all of this drama. All of this had blown out of control, none of it going as I hoped. Why couldn't it just end happily? I wasn't interested in any harm, only making sure Lis made good decisions. An almost coastal odor eased through, soothing as if I was back in Tai's arms. Stopping in front of Garr though, I felt a sort of repulsion. Might've been the way he looked at me, or his stance, but frustration was glowing off him.
"I don't blame you," I said with a sigh, "but I have to know how you'll-er, we'll fix it."
"It's hard enough convincing Haru," he said, "I don't think telling you the full plan's a good idea. But Kirito's gonna bring the details. Once I have that, I will keep-"
I heard a soft click, our conversation caught mid-sentence. Garr stopped, his eyes pointed east, right where the sunset blinded us. Without a second thought, an arm flew back, grabbing and yanking me behind a wall, Garr jamming his back against wood and stone. A pale blue gas hugged the ground, sliding gently like a wave of snakes
"Grenade!" Garr said with a quick peek behind, "contact, contact!"
"What?" I asked, my eyes scrambling as I drew a [Rapier], "Who? Where?"
"Watch the flank!" Garr said with a commanding voice, "shit, I need eyes."
"I can jump!" I said, "wait here!"
Commotion was loud, our friends throwing open the door as I crouched, eyes focused on a slanted roof's edge. Leafa shrieked with surprise, muffled voices unlike any I've ever heard audible for a moment as fingers grasped ceramic.
"Hold!" I heard below, a reply of groans and wriggled metal stealing my sight out of excitement.
Garr had arms locked with a strange figure, their outfit covered in metal of a bright bronze, slanted and pipe ridden. Course this didn't last long to no surprise, Garr threw him like a toy, raising a weird looking device with both hands, shouldering it like a gun.
"What're you seeing?!" he asked anxiously, looking down at the tool, "full mag, ha!"
"Um!" I rose briefly, only to duck when I heard a loud whiz, "someone! Right of me!"
"Gonna need more than that!"
Glass broke, a potion thrown out somewhere. Whizzing was replaced by gagging, people coughing as people darted out of the house.
"Haru?" Garr asked.
"They're everywhere!" Haru said, her voice telling me she made it to his side. "Leafa!"
"Poking my head out, another band of four strangers piled out of a corner, armed with stringed devices, like what Garr held.
"Garr, northwest!"
Garr dove out, the weapon raised as he sprayed fire at the alley's entrance,sweeping in as they dove for cover. A click broke out, Garr cursing as he drew a hand forward, unable to see one climb the roof above him. Legs bent again before I leaped out, the mysterious agent too focused on him to block.
I wasn't on solid ground, but I had already hit him, the [Rapier] digging into his raised arm with a firm punch. His weapon flew high as he flinched, screaming as he let me draw away upon landfall. Shivering in my shoes, I threw weight forward, his armor meeting my head.
I saw stars, great on my part. Dazed as I was, I heard something hit the floor as I clutched tiles and forehead with a groan. Good job, Asuna.
"'Deel!" Garr said, "watch for flankers! Haru, I need grenades!"
"It's my last one!"
"My grenade!"
More bottles broke below me, sight returning as people coughed painfully.
"Freeze!" someone said with a shout, "drop it or dance!"
I froze in place, a dull clack sounding off below.
"Knees, get them tagged."
"Hold up, there's one more."
Another moment passed, my hands and knees helping me crawl to the farthest roof edge. Sadly, I only found strangers, their weapons ready and waiting. Raising palms, I bit my lip as they motioned me down. I complied, only to find them still tense as I went on bare knees.
"Scream and you'll dance, got me?"
I nodded, watching as they drew a burlap bag, blindfolding before directing me along. The sloshing of water drew closer, splashes reaching me moments later, heart racing as my legs were grabbed, stiffening me before I was lowered. Knee deep in unseen waters, light eventually left me behind.
We were gathered in a place darker than night, its air competing with my pride in thickness, my throat near choking on it all. Moistened boots and whispers was all I heard, one of our captors pacing in a quick, angered inflection.
"Moat pricked me good," he said with a growl.
"Sh," said another, heels turning on dank stones. "I'm gonna ask this only once, so play with me. One of you knows of a Mechanist, spill."
Not a voice replied, only hushed breaths.
"Do you have any idea where you are? This is Rovia's canal system, made by folks who really like their water clean. If no answer's given within...thirty six minutes? This channel will open."
My gut dropped like a stone, oh my god. They were going to drown us...unless we told them about Lis. My lips went cold, hands forming knuckles as I stood blindfolded. They asked us one at a time, with Leafa first to crack.
"I didn't mean any harm!" she said, "please, I don't know anything! I've always followed the rules-"
She was muffled, only to struggle out, then muffled again with choked cries. A click was heard, her squirming stopped with a sudden scrape.
"If I shoot," one of them said, "it won't kill you. The fish will handle the rest."
"Okay," Leafa said with a shudder, "I give. Please let us go?"
A rumble of metal and pounding waters was easy to make out, growing louder as minutes drew by.
"Don't worry about us, drags. We're well equipped to deal with a little swim."
"I'm sorry," Kuradeel said, "but I do not know who you speak of. I was sent here to escort Urbus' queen."
"Are you? Well then who would that be?"
A brief pause sent spikes of ice flying up my stomach.
"Asuna?" Kuradeel asked, "let's not anger them?"
My lips pressed together, I couldn't believe he'd throw me under the bus like that! A soft swish freed my eyes, the stranger's eyes widening as he examined me.
"Well, well, look who wasn't lying. Alright, why're you out here?"
I said nothing, looking coldly at him as he smiled, his scarred face mangling his looks. Raising a weapon on me, however, Leafa stepped forward.
"Don't! She came looking to apologize!"
"Really?" one said with a short laugh, "don't you Ceph have...oh yea that's right. What for?"
"A friend," Leafa's voice lowered, "said she really messed things up."
They kept many pointing weapons while their leaders whispered, hand motions quick but controlled.
"They're gonna come looking, I say we toss 'em."
"Stake 'em."
"Good idea."
They turned to us again, exercising what they spoke with action as they raised new tools. Hammers and bolts neared us, their interrogator moving over to Garr.
"Gave us quiet the scuffle," he said with a nod, "took down two of my-"
Garr threw his head forward, a nose breaking as neck muscles flexed, knocking a groaning questioner off his footing. If it weren't for all the weapons, this would've been a meaningful escape plan, but one could only dream. Garr was shot, growling as one of their bolts jammed through his arm.
"Woo! I like this one! Shoot him again!"
"We're running out of time, drags. Speak now, or drown."
"You wanna know where she is?!" Haru asked shakily, "ask him!"
She glared at Garr, whose jaw clenched as he turned to her.
"You ratted me out," he said.
"I'm not doing this! You might be willing to sacrifice us for this, but I'm not!"
"You threw her safety aside for yours."
"But they could help us!"
"No, they're going to help...me."
His venom poured out with a fierce bite, turning heads as Haru stared incredulously. Their leaders gathered around Garr excitedly, the roar of heavy water loud against brick foundation. I was so sick inside, nausea driving me to look elsewhere. Words were near impossible to hear, but the faces made said everything.
A/N: Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, it's been a long time since I returned to a semi regular schedule.
Remember to leave a review!