91 could only close her eyes and wait for the inevitable end. The whirring of the blades screeched to a stop as something pierced through the machine. The robotic snake landed with a thud next to 91 a single needle from the back of its head sticking out the center of its lone red eye. 91 looked up and saw 5 holding his crossbow aimed right at her. 91 held the spear tight and waited as the crack in the ground she saw before stopped rumbling. 5 loaded another bolt into his crossbow scanning the area for the other machines that were not doubt hiding underground. 9 held the makeshift rope in place as 7 finally reached 6. Judging from the sounds coming from the top 7 knew she had to be quick before whatever dangers that were up there would be the end of them. 7 grabbed 6 and placed his body between her and the rope tied to her waist. She carefully unhooked the key from the rock and placed her feet on the cliff "9! 5! I have 6 with me!" 9 heard her yell and slowly began to pull her up. 5 looked at 9 struggling and back at 91 "Can you keep those things busy while we pull 7 back up?" 91 backed up towards them keeping an eye out for the other snake like machine "Just pull them up quick," 5 put the crossbow down and grabbed a hold of the rope pulling with all his strength. It might have just been 7 and 6 on the other end of the rope, but they were still heavier than 5 and 9 had thought. 91 stuck the spear into the ground again to get some kind of idea where the machines were. She played close attention to any sound even the thumping 7 was making while walking up the side of the cliff. There were no signs of the other machines so far so they were either waiting for an opening when they try to bring 6 back to the First Room or they had left them for now. 91 felt a low rumbling and pulled the spear out of the ground, ready for another attack. She held the spear close expecting the machines to come out at any moment and surprise her like the first one did. It wouldn't be long before the others were done retrieving 6 and get out of here.
5 and 9 were pulling as fast as they could and it was feeling like an eternity, especially when they were being attacked by snake machines with rotating blades instead of scales. 5 knew 7 would be able to cut these things the moment she set foot on the ground. 5 took a few steps and looked over the edge of the cliff "9 she is almost up pull harder," 9 felt his arms were going to fall off his their joints "I hope we can make it before I collapse," 5 looked at 9 seeing how tired he looked. He did keep 7 and 6 where they were while he helped 91 with the machine. The ground rumbled again as the machines broke the surface again and let out a metallic screech that gave them all a splitting headache and a momentary loss of balance. 5 and 9 dropped to their knees trying their best to hold on, fighting the urge to block out the horrible sound. 91 saw the machine quite a distance away near a pile of debris. She took the weapon and judged the distance at best she could before throwing it with all her strength. The spear soared in an almost perfect arc and the machine was too preoccupied with its attack that it didn't notice the blade until it was firmly imbedded into its body. The screeched was immediately silenced and launched a few sparks before the red glow of its eye faded. 9 was brought to his knees, while 5 strained to stay up with his shaking legs. He pulled while 9 tried to stand on his legs again and hold on to the rope with everything he had. 91 stumbled toward them and took hold of the rope and pulled until a hand popped over the side of the cliff. 7 and 6 were pulled over the side as everyone fell to the ground in pain. 7 placed 6 next to her and held her head "What was that just now?" 91 pointed where 7's spear jutted from the ground "That thing screeched," 7 turned her attention to where 91 pointed. She could make out some kind of metallic shine assuming it was some kind of machine.
5 sat up and looked at 6, slowly making his way over to him to see what kind of damage he would have to repair. He was surprised to only find 6 in almost perfect condition. The only thing 6 had were patches of dirt around his body, even the key around his neck was still in good condition. To everyone else it might not have mattered, but to 6 it was, for some reason, very important to him. 91 and 7 slowly stood up while 9 held his head, his back flat on the ground. 5 looked around "There are any more of them right?" 91 rubbed the sides of her head "I don't know, but let's not lower our guard until we get back," 7 saw the ground had been dug up in a few places "They were underground?" 91 slowly turned to her as her headache began to ease up a little "Yes," 7 scanned the area again "Did you get them all?" 91 looked at 7 "I'm not sure, they moved so fast I don't know how many there were," 7 pointed at her spear impaled on one of the machines "Did you do that?" 91 nodded "To far out to charge it," 7 began to walk over to retrieve it "That's one big gamble you did, especially with that screeching going on," 91 laughed "I had a few more seconds before I couldn't stand," 91 turned to 5 "Thanks for saving me by the way," 5 picked up his crossbow and placed on his back again "Just returning the favor really," 91 looked at the machine with the needle stuck right in through its eye "You know 5, you don't seem to have that aspect about you," 5 gave her a curious look "What do you mean?" "You hit that thing dead on as it flew toward my face," 5 scratched the back his head "Well I do what I can," 91 smiled "Well it looks like you are just a much a fighter as you are a healer," 5 smiled at the compliment.
7 grabbed her spear and placed her foot on the dead machine before giving a hard pull. The blade came out with the sharp sound of metal scraping metal. 7 used her spear to inspect the machine turning it over and moving some of the blades around its body. She made her way toward the others cautiously keeping an eye on her surroundings expecting other machines to show up any minute.
Objective Failed…
Return and Report…
5 finished placing 6 on a piece of cloth from the bed sheet rope by the time 7 got back "Everyone ready?" she asked. 9 held the rest of the rope over his shoulder with 91 and 5 holding the cloth to with 6 on it. The one-eyed mechanic lead the way "We need to hurry and get back to the First Room before nightfall, I don't want to be out here knowing there are machines still hunting us," 9 and 91 followed close behind with the rope and 7 watching their backs. 91 noticed 9 looking up into the sky as well as their surroundings making want to question him "9 why are you looking up at the sky for?" 9 looked over his shoulder "We had a few unsettling things come from the sky before," 7 remembered the Winged Beast that 5 and 6 broke apart with the plane back in the Sanctuary. 5 would have laughed at how easy 7 brushed off danger like that if he didn't remember how terrifying that whole experience was "You know 7, I think you don't remember that encounter as well as 9 and I do," 5 looked at the sky above their heads. 7 looked up as well "No I remember clearly, still got the scar to prove it," she tapped the stitching on her leg 5 had done. 91 laughed "It sounds like you all have a rather interesting life don't you," 5 stopped "Well I won't mind to have a boring life for a while," He adjusted his grip on the sheet "I have had enough for one life time," 7 shook her head "Come on 5 there has to be room for a little more excitement," 5 breathed out "Not really… maybe I can finally see a sunrise without wondering if I'm going to die that day," 91 wondered if 5 caught what he just said. He already died once, what if his friends still weren't completely over it yet. Seeing how 7 hesitated for a moment before continuing showed she still had that in her mind. 91 thought of something that would try to change the mood a little "Anyway what are we going to do when we get back? It will start to get a little crowded if you ask me," 9 shifted the rope on his shoulder "Well I was thinking about finding another place to call home," 5 had a thought "What about 3 and 4's library?" 7 pictured the building and all that was inside that they could use "Well it would be a great thing to have, but as a home… I'm not so sure," 5 looked at 6 to see if he needed to be adjusted on the sheet "Well the Sanctuary wasn't much when we got there either, but with some work it did become home… for a while anyway," 7 had a feeling 5 was talking about the twins and her. She really did try to bring him along, but 5 would never leave 2 to handle 1 on his own and 6 at the mercy of 8's bullying. Maybe this time everything will work out for the best.
By the time the group made it back, the sun had touched the horizon and painting the sky orange and red. 9 looked at the stairs they would climb again "Maybe the library doesn't seem so bad after all," 7 made her way forward to help with 6 "Did you say something 9?" he shook his head "Never mind let's get 6 up the stairs," 9 and 91 had the fortune of bringing the rope up and not 6 and his key. 9 had unsettling thoughts as the group climbed the stairs to the First Room, more specifically how they were going to get 2 back. They had sent him down a river which they would no doubt have to follow, but is it even possible to bring 2 back? 9 wouldn't want to be able to bring the ones lost back only to have the opportunity to right his wrongs taken because of another one of his actions. There was no way he was going to fail 5 again.
Just like the others, the talisman shined green and sparked as 6 was engulfed in the green light. 5 sat down a few ways away with his legs crossed and hung his head. 7 walked over and sat down next to him "Is something wrong?" 5 looked at her with his one eye before smiling "Just tired 7 nothing to worry about," 7 placed her spear down near her and placed a hand on 5's shoulder "You know you can talk to me about anything right?" 5 blinked a few times "I was thinking of a few things is all," 7 placed her hand on top of his head "You think too much," 5 touched the stitching of his leather patch "I was just thinking…if…" 7 grew a little concerned which made 5 nervous "You know…7 we have known each other…for a while," 7 felt something inside like a spring tightening "I wanted to…" 5 looked at 7 before sighing "I just want things to work out this time," 7 didn't know what she expected him to say, but she felt somewhat disappointed. What was it she expected him to say? 9 called them both "5! 7! Let's get ready for bed. Knowing the machines are out there still, we are going to take turns on watch," 7 stood and grabbed her spear "Come on 5 lets go," 5 watched 7 walk away before mentally kicked himself. Fight razor studded machines? No problem. Trekking through a graveyard to resurrect the dead? Piece of cake. Revealing his feelings to the kind soul walking away from him? Well… If he can't even tell 7 how he felt about her maybe it wasn't meant to be. Besides how can someone like him ever hope to end up with someone as amazing as her. They were still friends at least and for the most part it is better than nothing.