Chapter 8: Heavy Preparations
A few Days later
Yul stood in the middle of the desolate sands of the Bikanel desert. A buzzing sound came from the distance a the airship approached. It landed just a few feet away from him, Yul stood there as the ramp lowered. A group of slimy looking thugs piled out of the ship walking up to Yul.
"So are you ready?" Yul asked the thugs
"That depends, do you have our money?" asked one of the thugs
"Did you get the pictures and profiles I sent you?" asked Yul
"That depends, do you have our money?" asked the Thug again
Yul held out his hand as a fiend sprang up out of the sand. It handed him a large pouch then retreated back into the sands. Yul tossed the sack over to the thug. The thug inspected the sack, before smiling with satisfaction.
"Okay, we got everything in order. You don't have to worry about a thing." Smiled the thug
"Good."
The thugs headed back to their airship. Yul watched them leave.
"Let's see how you fair on this little test." He smirked
Rekks stood in front of the entrance to the caverns, staring in to the darkness. He took a big gulp and kicked some dirt into the entrance a few Pyreflies flew out and floated into the sky. Rekks turned away from the entrance, he looked down at his left hand. Rekks then pointed his hand down at the ground and closed his eyes. He concentrated. He focused harder and harder, but nothing came.
"Hey whatca doing?" asked Tev surprising Rekks
Rekks, startled, fell backwards toward the cavern. He screamed out as he fell back, Tev rushed forward and grabbed his cousin pulling him away just in time. Rekks shook his head trying to regain his senses.
"What's up with you? Ever since you go back you've been acting weird." States Tev
"I think I can do things, things no one else can do." Replied Rekks
"Can one of those things be walking because we need to meet up with the others." Laughed Tev
"Sure things." Smiled Rekks
The two of them walked away from the cavern to join up with everyone else. When they reach the others Rekks sat down a the breakfast table and grabbed himself a plate of food.
"Where have you been all morning?" asked Rose
"Some where." He replied with a mild discomfort
"Look Rekks I know it's been a couple of days, but we can talk about it if you want to?" asked Cana
"I'm fine." Retorted Rekks
"Just let em alone. He'll sort it through." Remarked Vid
"Look guys I know that your worried, especially after how I reacted, but things are fine." Replied Rekks
"You never did tell us what happened to you when you were gone." Remarked Shay
Rekks froze for a second. He took a big gulp of his drink.
"I just wandered around the desert for a while. I lost track of the chocobo after the sandstorm. I hid out in a little cave then wandered around when it was over." Answered Rekks
Everyone looked at him skeptically. Rekks turned his head down toward his food trying to avoid their gaze. Tev laughed then took a drink from his cup.
"Okay we'll believe you on this one. Anyways, constructions almost done and things seem to be going our way. In my opinion, it's all good." Remarked Tev
Tev held his cup up to his lips when a gunshot rang out in the distance. Tev's cup shattered into hundreds of pieces. Tev sat there unsure what to do.
"I'm 85 percent sure that this isn't a good sign." Gulped Tev
Another shot rang out , the bullet tearing into the table. Everyone began to bolt in every direction. More shots came out, hitting all over the village. The people panicked as they ran for cover. Rekks dove behind a small wall as a bullet hit it narrowly missing him. Rekks scurried across the ground as the bullets continued to fly. He ducked behind a nearby wall along with Rose.
Just then the heroes heard a whirling sound followed by the sound of a building exploding. Rekks peeked his head around the corner off the wall to wake a look when a bullet nearly hit his head. Rekks pulled his head back and looked over at Rose.
"Snipers." He breathed
"Where do you think they are coming from?" asked Rose
"Don't know?" he replied
Just then another bullet came from the opposite direction, Rose leaped out of the way just in time. Rekks ushered her across the way as then hid behind another building.
"They're tracking us. And they brought a few surprises with them." Breathed Rekks
Tev was running down the street as a hail of gunfire struck down nearby. He rolled out of the way as Kambei came running down the street. Tev bolted up and tackled Kambei out of the way as a missile touched down right where they were standing. Tev looked around and spied a nearby building with an open door.
He grabbed Kambei by the arm and pointed it out to him. They sprinted across the street as fast as they could. Tev hit the door frame and turned around just in time to see Kambei be hit by a bullet. Kambei fell forward into Tev's arms, Tev dragged him into the building and shut the door.
He looked around and saw a table. Quickly he through everything off it clearing it then placed Kambei on the table. Kambei was screaming out in pain as he clutched his bleeding gut. Tev looked down at himself to see that he was covered in blood. He began breathing heavily as he quickly located a sink.
He washed off as much blood as he could then located some rags under the sink. He soaked them in water and brought them over to Kambei to help him out. Kambei trembled as he felt the life poor out of him. Tev desperately tried to remain calm as they continued to hear the gunfire in the background.
"It hurts….I need help." Stuttered Kambei as he clutched the rang tightly to his gut
"I know, I know, I'll try to find you some, but they're still shooting and everyone's hiding. Just hang in there man, It's going to be alright." Tev tried to assure him
Kambei smiled at Tev then groaned as his eyes rolled back. Tev desperately searched for any signs of life. Finding none he fell to his knees and covered his face in his hands.
At the same time Cana, Zialas and Vid were crouched behind a wall out of sight. Zialas peeked over the edge of the wall scanning the area, then quickly drew his head back.
"How many da ya think there are?" asked Vid
"10 at least. 8 snipers and two with rocket launchers." Replied Zialas
"How can you tell?" inquired Cana
"I just know." Retorted Zialas
Another explosion rang out. Vid peeked his head over the wall and scanned the damage, nothing too bad.
"I going." Stated Zialas as he hoped over the wall
Vid and Cana nodded to each other as they hoped the wall and followed him. They followed him down the street keeping low in order to stay relatively unseen. Just then Vid watched as a mother and her children ran past them into a building nearby, which then exploded as a missile hit it.
"Go wid Zialas, I'll check on dem!" shouted Vid as he ran for the building
Cana nodded at Vid then followed the Ronso down the street. Vid rushed over to the ruble of the building he began clawing away at the remains of the building. Vid sighed with relief as he found the mother and her two children hiding under their kitchen table. Vid pushed away the table and helped them to their feet.
Vid looked around then escorted the small family to a safe area. He saw a building that thought was empty and smashed the door open. Vid stood there shocked to see Tev standing over the dead body of Kambei. The mother grabbed a hold of her children and ran off in the opposite direction. Vid panicked and turned away from Tev running after them. A shot rang out in the distance, Vid ducked down as the bullet sailed through the air hitting one of the kids in the leg.
The mother screamed out in terror as she clutched her child. Vid rushed up and grabbed a hold of the child tearing off a piece of his clothes and wrapping it around the child's wound.
"Come wid me. I'll take care of ya." Stated Vid as he looked into the mother's eyes
She took a big gulp and nodded in agreement. Vid led them back to the building Tev was in carrying the small child. Tev helped them in as Vid laid the child on a couch. Vid looked over at the body on the dinning room table, then pulled Tev aside.
"Would you cover that thing up?" whispered Vid
"Hey have some respect he just died." Replied Tev
Vid took a moment to compose himself.
"Fine, but I don't think that these people who are alive need to see him right now. Please." Answered Vid
Tev nodded and together with Vid the lifted up the body and brought it into another room where they covered it with a sheet. They raided the empty house for supplies as they helped the mother treat her wounded child.
Meanwhile Cana and Zialas ducked behind a building for cover. Cana suddenly heard the sound of someone calling out to her. She looked up to she the smiling face of Shay standing on top of the building they were hiding behind. Cana alerted Zialas to her presence and they both climb up the side of the building to meet her on the roof.
"Stay low, stay quiet." She whispered as she led them across the roof
They hid behind a metal shielding device Shay had rigged up. Shay loaded her weapon as Zialas surveyed the desert from this higher vantage point.
"No see them." Zialas remarked
"They're hiding in the dunes. Must be using some type of machina, I've seen things like these before, but not in action. These machina allow them to stay hidden like under mud or sand, something like that, while allowing them to fire at a distance. Works real well if you have a good sniper." Replied Shay
"Looks like they're good enough. Must be some mercenaries, don't know many people with access to this type of stuff. Do you know how many there are?" asked Cana
"10" stated Zialas
"Do you think Yul sent them." Asked Cana
"No matter. Just need to know where they are." Answered Zialas
"I'm not sure about the others, but I think I located two." Replied Shay as she pointed out their locations
Zialas studied the layout of the area.
"Cover me." He said
Shay and Cana nodded at him. Cana activated a dress sphere transforming into her Alchemist form. Together with Shay she pointed her gun at the sand. She took a deep breathe and they began to open fire. Zialas jumped down from the top of the roof and sprinted through the desert. The snipers opened fire on him, Zialas dodged some of the incoming fire then rolled out of the as Shay and Cana gave him some cover.
Zialas reached the first dune and plunged his spear deep into the sand. Zialas slammed his claws into the sand and tore open the roof of the machina. The thug screamed in terror as Zialas let out a feral roar. He lifted the thug up by the throat using one hand. The thug fought for deal life as Zialas snarled at him. Zialas gave the thug a head butt, knocking him out then tossed him to the side.
The second sniper, jumped out of his hiding place and opened fire on Zialas. Zialas felt the bullets tear into his back. He grabbed his spear and spun around. The sniper fired two more shots nearly driving Zialas to his knees. Zialas tossed his spear with all his strength. It cut through the air plunging itself deep into the sniper bringing him down.
Zialas roared loudly then fell backwards unconscious. Cana transformed into her white mage dress sphere. She cast a protect spell and used to guard herself and Shay as they rushed over to Zialas. Cana instantly cast cure on him, but she knew he'd still need to be taken somewhere safe. Cana looked over and saw Shay pulling Zialas' spear out of the other sniper. Then her gaze slowly panned over to the unconscious sniper.
"Grab a hold of him. We'll bring them both back." Stated Cana
"Why?" asked Shay
"He can give us information." Replied Cana
Shay nodded and grabbed a hold of unconscious sniper as they dragged him and Zialas back to the village. Cana and Shay dragged them down the street when they found a house with a broken door. Shay opened the door to find Vid and Tev standing over a scared family. Tev ran up Shay and gave her a hug.
"You're okay." Tev breathed a sigh of relief
"No time, we need help." She stated as she dragged Tev outside
When Tev saw Zialas and the sniper he called out Vid and together they all brought them both in.
At the same time Rekks and Rose had made their way toward the middle of the town. Rekks poked his head around the corner and looked toward Mr. Kurosawa's Tent. The opening of the tent was hanging open slightly and Rekks could see in. His eyes widened as he saw Mr. Kurosawa lying on the ground covered in blood lying faced down.
Without thinking Rekks bolted across the street and dived into the tent. Rose called after him, but it was no use. She quickly followed and jumped into the tent with him.
Rekks placed a hand on Mr. Kurosawa's back and checked his wound when……
"What are you doing boy?" asked Mr. Kurosawa as he sat up
"Mr. Kurosawa, but I thought….the blood…and.."
"Blood? No, no, I was standing next to a tomato stand when the shootings started. Nearly hit me, got a whole bunch of tomatoes juice all over me. I made my way back here and stayed low so as to remain unnoticed." Replied Kurosawa
"How's the cavern, did anyone reach it?" asked Rose
"No, none of them have even come down from where ever they are hiding." Remarked Kurosawa
"Then they aren't here for the cavern." Added Rose
"What are they hear for then?" asked Rekks
"Isn't it obvious to weaken us. Yul has seen all the preparations we have made for him, this is to slow us down. Maybe even kill us before he arrives, save himself some time." Stated Kurosawa
"Can't be." Mumbled Rekks
Kurosawa led the two of them to the side of the tent slowly. He urged them to look through a hole in the side of the tent that over looked the desert.
"They're hiding out there. I don't know how many, but I doubt it's a lot. They probably have all their men spread out." Stated Kurosawa
"It's smarter that way. Strategy. Few men spread across a large area covering certain points…..just like Blitz." Remarked Rekks
"What are we going to do?" asked Rose
"How good's your magic casting?" smiled Rekks
The front of the tent opened as Rekks slowly walked out into the middle of the street. Standing in the middle of the street Rekks raised his hands to his face and cupped his mouth.
"Hey, Sht bags I'm right here come get some!!!!" he shouted out
Just then the bullets came at him from all sides. Rekks scrambled around desperately as the bullets flew. He ducked behind a cart. He took a moment to catch his breathe when he heard a whirling sound. Rekks looked over the top of the cart to see a missile coming right for him. Rekks dove out of the way as it hit the cart causing an explosion.
Rekks ran as they continued to shoot at him. Soon he found himself right in front of the entrance to the cavern. He stopped dead n his tracks. He looked down into the darkness and leaped away from the entrance.
"What's taking you so long Rose?" grumbled Rekks
"Got them." Smiled Rose
Rose raced out of the other side of the tent in her Black Mage dress sphere. She raised her staff high and cast a thundraga spell right on the location of one of the snipers. He popped out of his hiding spot as Rose hit him with a flare spell. Rose ducked behind a building as she was fired on.
Rekks pushed himself off the ground and began running over to Rose when a volley of bullets came at him. He ran in the opposite direction, but tripped over something and fell back…….into the cavern. Rekks tumbled down the entrance finally ending up on the floor. He bolted up frightened as he looked over his surroundings.
Rose sprang from her hiding place and angrily cast a flare spell on the hiding place of the second sniper. He jumped out of the confines of his ruined machina then aimed his missile launcher at Rose. She pointed her staff at him and let loose another flare spell. Rose then transformed back into her regular warrior dress sphere and went in search of Rekks.
Rekks started heading back toward the entrance when he stopped and turned back. He walked deeper into the cave. The lights Kurosawa and his team set up cast enough light to see. He walked down the first path until he reached the main cavern, it was huge. It practically the size of the village itself. Rekks could see a large chasm in the middle of the cavern, it looked bottomless.
Rekks walked up to one of the statues being careful of the chasm. He raised his hand, slowly, inching it ever so closer to the statue. His finger was only a centimeter away before he pulled it back. He chuckled to himself and started walking back to the entrance.
"I must be crazy." He chuckled to himself
Rekks walked out the entrance where he was greeted by Rose. Just then a shot rang out Rekks pulled Rose to the ground. As they fell Rose saw Rekks' eye shone a brilliant green color for just a second. A small stone wall sprang up from the ground deflecting the bullets as the two of them fell on to the ground.
Rekks lifted his head up and looked at the wall puzzled. It was then he noticed that he was lying down on top of Rose. Embarrassed he rolled off her and scooted a small distance away. Before he could say anything the heard the sound of the Celsius' engines flare up as it shot into the sky.
The ship flew around the village firing off its guns into the dunes. One of the snipers popped out of his hiding spot and fired his missile launcher at the ship's engine. The Celsius began to smoke as it swung around and fired it's own missiles in the area of the sniper. Rekks bolted through the city until he could see the hill where the sniper was. The Celsius headed back to the ground to land as the smoke bellowed.
Rekks scanned the area to make sure the sniper was dead. Suddenly near the fire he caught site of another who was bloody and injured. He threw down his rifle and pulled out a dagger. He screamed in anger as he rushed down the hill toward Rekks. Rekks looked around and smile. He cut a rope nearby him, activating one of the many traps they had set up. A net popped out of the sand capturing the sniper. Rekks walked up to him to find the sniper trying to cut his way out of the net. Rekks smiled at him and punched his lights out.
It had been sometime since the sniper fire had started. It was reaching night time now as Rekks and Rose dragged the thug through the city with Mr. Kurosawa following behind. As they walked Mr. Kurosawa noticed a building with its lights on. Everyone was still hiding so most of the lights in the village were off. They reached the door to find it slightly broken. As Rekks pushed it open he saw Vid and Cana there bringing food to a scared family.
Cana ran up and hugged her brother. He hugged her back then brought in the villain. Vid helped him bring the guy into the other room. Rekks noticed that there were two more bodies in the room. He moved closer to inspect when Vid placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him.
They returned to the living room where they sat down at the table along with Shay and Mr. Kurosawa. Cana brought everyone some tea then took a seat next to Vid. Mr. Kurosawa had his face in his hands, while Rose threw an arm him in support.
"Kambei…I can't believe.." mourned Kurosawa
"So where is Zialas now?" asked Rekks
"Resting upstairs, away from the windows of course." Replied Cana
"How many did he say there were?" asked Kurosawa as he tried to compose himself
"10." Answered Vid
"We got three, we know Tev took out at least one and with Zialas two that means….." added Rose
"Four left. But that's still enough to do more damage. Kambei's only one. Who knows who else in this village has suffered." Stated Kurosawa
"It's night now. They know everyone's hiding out, by now so they can't shoot. And without them shooting we can't figure out where they are." Stated Rekks
"Stalemate." Replied Kurosawa
"Nothin ta do but rest now." Added Vid
DAMM!! These guys have done all this stuff to us and we can't go after them?!? This isn't right!" shouted Rekks
"What are you going to do?" asked Rose
"Forget rest. I'll go looking for them all night if I have to!" stated Rekks
"That's stupid. Dey'll see ya before you can see dem." Retorted Vid
Rekks growled then headed toward the stairs.
"Wait." Kurosawa called out to Rekks
Rekks stopped.
"Don't act rashly. One of my assistants, a good friend, someone I cared about died today. But even I know the value of a level head." Stated Kurosawa
Rekks nodded then continued to head up the stairs.
"Good night!" He shouted down to them
To be continued…………
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. There will be more action in the next chapter, but also some more character deveolpement. Remember to send any reviews, thoughts, questions, suggestions, etc. you have I love recieving feedback. Keep an eye out for chapter 9: Five Minutes Till'. Keep reading