Dust and ash filled the air. The screams of the dying were deafening. Blood and meat lined the roads, and clung to the walls of buildings. The stench of rotted and burnt flesh flowed freely through the dead city. The sky was blood red, as if the heavens themselves were bleeding. In the midst of the chaos, a being with golden armor levitated off of the ground. Holly stood on her feet staring up defiantly. Her friends, family, and comrades had all been slain by this bastard's hand. Crushed, ripped apart, shot, melted, disintegrated… She looked to her left to see Buck, impaled by a piece of rebar reaching out to her, blood flowing from the gaping wound in his chest, terror plastered to his face. To her right Jai lay on the ground, half of his face charred and burnt off, his one remaining eye wide and locked on her, his mouth frozen in a scream. Her new friend and mentor, Samraa, had been reduced to nothing more than a pile of gore beneath her feet. Her blood oozed down the slight incline of the street, carrying small bits of bone and meat with it. Holly could see her parents standing just below the floating beast. They stared back at her, smiles on their faces. Then blood, massive amounts of blood poured from their eyes, noses, and ears. They fell to the ground, lifeless. Her gaze returned to the floating being. Its eyeless face was staring at her, smiling that crooked and evil smile. Holly tried to raise her weapon, tried to fight. She looked down to see her rifle on the ground, her amputated arm still clenched around the grip. Then there was the feeling of weightlessness. She watched as her detached arm, and the ground itself got further and further away. A force was pulling her upwards. She looked again to the monster responsible for all this death. It had a hand held out towards her, its fingers slowly curling in. Holly was pulled slowly forwards to the beast until her face was but a foot from its. In a deep, evil voice, it whispered, "Die." Then, it let her go. Holly fell, and screamed, flecks of saliva flinging from her mouth. The scream wasn't from fear, or terror. It was one of rage. She watched as she fell, the monster above her still smiling. She then closed her eyes, accepting her fate.
Holly hit the sandy ground screaming, ripped back to consciousness from the impact. She flailed, sending bits of sand and small pebbles flying. Her foot slammed into the base of a table, shooting an intense pain up her leg. "Fuck!" She yelled. She clambered away and put her back against her bed, pulling her knees into her chest, head down. Tears of stress, anger, and sadness streamed from her eyes, soaking her face and falling to the sand beneath her. The sound of her tent being pulled open made her recoil, and she tried crawling away. She turned and put her hand to the earth… she had forgotten. Where her hand and arm should be, there was nothing. She fell forwards onto her face. She sobbed. "Holly!?" A male voice sounded behind her. "Holly?" The voice was quieter now. A hand rested on her shoulder, and she recoiled again, jerking to the side. "Hey!" The voice was clearer now. She turned to meet the gaze of Jai. He stood there with a worried look on his face, staring into her soul. He said nothing more, and she said nothing at all. Jai knelt down and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. The physical contact opened the floodgates, and the tears were unstoppable. The sound of her tent opening came again, and stood there above the pair was Buck, wielding an old pump shotgun. Samraa stood behind him, letting in a shimmer of sunlight. "Is everything okay?" Buck asked, worry in his voice. Jai turned and shook his head. Holly paid little attention to the voices, her mind still on the horrid images she had just witnessed moments ago. Samraa was right. The terror and anger inside of her was tearing her apart.
She had spent the past week and a half mostly with Samraa. She had taken on a sort of mentor role for Holly, teaching her the art of swordsmanship and helping her come to terms with the fear that ravaged her soul. After last night's nightmares, she wasn't sure it was helping much. She really could go for a sparring match with Samraa right about now. "Hey Holly? We're worried abou-" Jai had started to say. Holly turned toward him and wiped her eyes. "I'm fine! I just… need some air." She snapped. Jais' lips sealed and he just nodded, standing. He turned and left the tent with Buck and Samraa. Holly kicked herself for snapping at Jai. He had been such a great friend and he didn't deserve to be treated like that. She hoped this didn't put a rift between them. She was enjoying his company more and more. He was funny and sweet, and was always there for her. They'd only known each other for almost two weeks, but they had grown very close in that short time. Holly stood and glanced at the small mirror on the nightstand in her tent. She was smiling. It was nice to smile. She wiped a final tear from her face and changed into the clothes that Samraa had given her. She looked into the mirror once more. She wasn't sure about having her stomach exposed, she never was that kind of girl. But she had to admit, the long white robes were very comfortable, and fit like a dream. She gave herself a small grin and made her way out of the tent, grabbing her curved sword along the way.
Holly left the tent, feeling the warm sun touch her skin. The mornings here were beautiful, much more so than in the city. Buck, Jai, and Samraa were all huddled a little ways away talking amongst themselves, no doubt about her. She appreciated their worry for her, and it was nice knowing she had people care for her. She reached up and touched her shoulder where her arm should be, closing her eyes. She was still getting used to the fact it was gone. She opened her eyes again looking towards Jai. She had hoped that he didn't blame himself for what happened to her. It was a split second decision to save him and it had cost her. But Jai was alive and that's what mattered. She started making her way over to the group, and they turned to face her. Holly caught Jais' eyes flit down for a moment, looking her up and down. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. "Hey Holly!" He said with a smile. That was good. It didn't seem like her snap at him pushed him away at all. Nevertheless she would still apologize. "Hey." She said happily, giving him a warm smile. "Hey I'm sorry for snapping at you. It was… a long night." She said quickly. Jai just smiled, "it's fine. I just hope you're okay." He said. "Yeah me too." Holly thought. She then looked at Samraa who was also smiling at her. "So, more training today? What's on the agenda?" Holly asked. Her three friends stood there confused. "Today is the day Holly. We're heading to the old abandoned EDF base." Buck said. Holly took a step back, she had forgotten that was today. Between her training, the constant nightmares, and the fact that those damn warlords and their alien allies came by again a couple of days ago, her mind was everywhere. "You don't have to go, in fact-" Buck was saying. Holly cut him off, standing straighter as she did. "I'm going. We have no idea what we're heading into and you can use all the help you can get." She caught a glimpse of Samraa grinning and slightly nodding her head at the comment. Buck smiled and nodded and turned to Samraa, "let's get over to Canes. Go over the plan once more." He turned back looking at Jai and Holly, "Meet us there?" Holly nodded along with Jai. The pair turned and made their way to Canes tent, walking closely together. Holly caught a giggle from Samraa as they were walking away. She was happy the two of them were getting closer. In a world that was ending, love and companionship was more and more uncommon. She glanced at Jai as the thought crossed her mind. He caught the glance, then held an arm out offering it to her. "Shall we?" He asked with a smile. Holly grinned back and accepted, and the pair walked arm in arm to Canes tent.
The duo entered the tent not long after Buck and Samraa. Holly saw the two of them with Cane huddled over a table with a map on it. "Ah yes. Come in. We were just beginning." Cane said. Holly and Jai approached, finding spaces to lean in and study the map. Cane was pointing to one spot, "This is us here. The base we need to get to is about thirty miles north." He slid his finger up pointing to an X on the map. "There is a settlement in between here and there that we may be able to stop at and get extra supplies, maybe even an extra fighter or two. I don't know them well, but they are under the same boot we are." Buck stepped in and continued, "after a quick stop at the settlement we will make for the base. It's a long journey and we'll be on foot, but we can handle it. Once we get to the base, our main priority is finding weapons. Our secondary priority is vehicles. That's where Jai comes in. You're most acquainted and trained with EDF vehicles." Jai gave a quick nod. Buck continued, "our third objective is supplies, there may have been a stockpile left there after the base was abandoned. I don't have to say it but I will anyway. There will be monsters. And reports from Canes scouts say their numbers are immense. We will attempt to approach quietly, as we are very under equipped for this. We were able to scrounge a few more firearms from the people here, but it's not much." He walked over to a crate in the corner of the tent, opening it. Inside were a few rusty handguns and shotguns, and one bolt action hunting rifle with a scope. Holly chimed in, "I still have a few of those grenades that I had when we were teleported." She swore Buck almost fist pumped. "Very good." Cane said. He stood straight and looked at each person in turn. "I… don't know what to say. You people just met us and you're helping us more than anyone ever has. I… we are all in your debt." Buck put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't owe us anything." He looked at Jai and Holly. "We are EDF. We will always fight for those in need." Samraa pounded her chest. Holly felt pride rising within her. She was fighting for these people, fighting to release them from the boot they found themselves under. She pounded her chest as well. "Let's get to it people." Buck said. He beckoned Jai over to help him carry the weapons crate outside. The two of them hoisted the wooden box and walked out, Cane behind them. Holly followed, but Samraa stopped her. "Holly, you've come a long way in such a short time. But I worry for you. You still carry much fear." Holly was a tad annoyed at the comment at first, but she understood. "I'm… working on it. I still have the nightmares but I'm okay." She said. Samraa stood there staring for a moment, studying her. Hollys mind suddenly reverted back to the nightmare she just had, seeing Samraa as a pile of meat on the ground. She shook the images away, her breathing increasing in speed slightly. Samraa then nodded and smiled, not noticing the distress. "I know you will find your way." She said. The two of them embraced in a hug, and left the tent.
Outside, Cane was gathering the people who volunteered for the mission, and Buck was outfitting them with weapons and ammo. Jai turned and approached Holly. "You ready for this?" He asked. "Oh you know it." Holly replied with confidence. She looked her friend in his eyes. What she saw was the half charred face from her nightmare. She took a step back, shaking her head. "Holly?" Jai asked. She held her hand up, breathing heavily. "I'm… I'm okay." She stood, straightening herself. She had to get a hold of herself. She looked at Jai and reiterated, "I'm okay. Let's grab our gear." Her and Jai walked over to Buck who had just finished arming the volunteers. He handed the hunting rifle to Jai, "Don't know if it's sighted in, you may want to take a couple shots, make sure." He said. He turned to Holly and handed her a pistol with a couple magazines and a holster. "Not the best weapon in the world but anything is better than nothing." Holly grabbed the weapon and as she did, she was once more transported to her nightmare, watching Buck bleed out from a gaping hole in his chest, his fearful eyes staring up as he reached for her. The pistol fell from her hands, landing on the sandy earth. "Careful!" Buck said, taking a step back. He bent down and picked the weapon up, handing it to her again, "I'm sorry, I-" she stopped. "It's nothing. We should get moving." She said. Buck and Jai exchanged a glance but said nothing.
The group made their way to the outskirts of the settlement and waited for the rest of the fighters to follow, with Holly grabbing the bandolier of grenades along the way. They were a force of about fifteen people. It wasn't the largest fighting force by any means, but that didn't matter. The plan was to be stealthy anyways, only fighting when need be. Samraa had gotten a few of her fellow warriors to come along, their shiny curved swords shimmering in the morning light. Holly touched her own sword hanging from her hip. She was by no means as skilled as any of them, but the weapon brought a sense of ease. She had surprised herself with how good she had gotten with just one arm, especially since it wasn't her dominant side. The last of the fighters had arrived and the force started their long journey to the abandoned base. "Good luck my friends!" Cane called out from behind them. "Friends!" Another voice sounded. Behind Cane was the old man they had first met here, the one that held them at gunpoint, waving and smiling his big smile.
Holly walked next to Jai, Buck, and Samraa in the front of the group. The three of them around her eased her mind. She was so thankful for these three. Jai kept her company and was quick to lighten the mood. Buck had taken on almost a fatherly role for her. She had lost her real father fairly early on in the invasion, and Buck had tried to fill that role. In just the two weeks they had known each other, Holly had formed complete confidence in the man. She knew he would always be there for her and always come back for her. He was one of the good ones. Samraa had also become an almost parental figure. She was strong, and stern, yet was gentle, and soft. She reminded Holly of her own mother. She was happy these were the people with her now.
A few hours passed as the force made their way north towards the abandoned base. They had taken a couple of breaks, allowing people to drink water and eat some of their precious rations. With how far they have come they should be coming up on the settlement that Cane had mentioned. He had also mentioned the sort of monsters they may come across out here. Giant camel spiders, locusts, and other terrifying creatures. The fact that they hadn't come across any yet was kind of a miracle, and Holly was okay with that. She must have been lost in her mind for a minute thinking about the monsters, as she realized she had fallen behind Buck and Jai slightly. They were climbing a tall dune in front of them. Upon reaching the top, she saw Buck fall to his knees. "No." She heard him say weakly. Samraa stood next to him, arms crossed. "Those bastards." She heard her say. What was going on? She double timed it up the dune, trying to reach her friends. Jai was trying to comfort Buck as she reached the top. She looked out over the other side, standing next to Samraa. Below them, and down the steep dune was the settlement. Or what was left of it. The tents were all burned to the ground, some still smoking. There were craters in the ground from small explosions peppered all around. Parts of the dunes surrounding the settlement were glassed over, more than likely from the aliens plasma weapons. The worst part was what was in the middle of the settlement. There in the middle of the charred tents was a mound of bodies. The corpses were piled on top of each other, some still smoldering from the flames that had once enveloped them. Holly heard the sound of retching to her side, as more of the fighters crested the dune. Everyone stood there in silence, gazing upon the destruction. There was a whimper here and sniffle there. "This was the work of the ones that come and steal our food." Samraa said. Buck stood back up, wiping the tears from his face, and turning towards the rest of the group. "This is the work of evil. This is what we fight to stop. The people that did this are lost. They side with the monsters that invade our planet and wreak havoc on those they deem less. Today that stops. We will continue to the base and gather our tools of revenge. They will know the full force of those they think are unable to fight back. We will make them regret underestimating you! We will make them regret siding with those alien bastards! We will cut off the foot that wears the boot of oppression! And they will gaze upon their failure through dying eyes!" He screamed, throwing a fist in the air. Some of the fighters threw their own fists in the air, and some pounded their chests. Holly was taken aback a little by the short speech. She had never heard Buck so angry, never knew him to advocate for such violence. It was a bit worrying. The whooping and cheering died down and the group continued onwards. Holly wasn't sure what came next, wasn't sure what would happen in the coming hours. She knew she would have to fight. And she would. To the death of need be.