Important Info regarding the state of this fic at the end. Please read the notes. (It's nothing bad, promise!)
The target location is 15 tiks out, adjust bearing to the mildover rolling plains.
Roger that, adjusting bearing accordingly.
Remember, the aim of this mission is to eliminate as many of this war criminal's party and followers as we can. Investigation of the crash site and the survivors is a secondary one.
Copy that, shoot to kill first, saving survivors second.
Just making sure you paid attention to the briefing, it was sudden and at this hour of all time.
It's alright Colonel, war waits for no one… I think You and I understand the most…
Yeah…
Hey let's not sour the mood, we still have a mission to do, am I right?
Right, let's give them our best and be back for breakfast, dinner, or inverted lunch?
Something like that, just be sure to pay me back from last time.
I thought that was out of good courtesy-
"Good. Now then, I have a proposition."
I looked around, straining to see all the potential threats that might try to pop out to try to stop me. Ceroba and Faith were somewhat close but not enough to warrant danger. Conrad and his opponent were the farthest so they were likely to do anything. I looked around the group of people that were watching us, nobody came and tried anything so I moved my gaze back towards Gorlith.
I remember that Conrad mentioned something about illusion or some other type of magic that can make one invisible. Though I'm pretty sure with this heavy rain I'll probably see an outline of sorts at least of them trying to sneak up on me. Or so I hope, I still don't exactly have a grasp on magic in general as I'm not even from here.
"Listen, I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want me and my group to be able to leave and that's it," I stated firmly.
There was a continued silence for a short period of time until a voice cried out suddenly.
"LIES! We know why you all were sent here, to cause destruction to the good citizens of the collective," It was Ceroba, and she had more to say, "Know that it will not pass. Gorlith ple-"
She was shushed by the waving of Gorliths left hand, I assume signaling her to shut her trap.
"We are willing to hear you out, if you were to just let Pherso go-"
I stiffened my arm holding my revolver against his skull, "That's not how that works, you listen to my demands and I might… let him go. That or you can risk trying to stop me and… Pherso? Pherso getting his brains blown out, your call." I calmly said in a passive-aggressive tone.
"This isn't right, I can understand that you are much weaker than me and so far had done no damage, but by no means is that justification for you-"
"I don't give a damn if it is or is not justified, at this point I could care less," I retorted angrily.
I could faintly make out him getting spooked for a second when I interrupted him, he probably is not used to it with him being the almighty hero and all of that jazz. I'll show him what a real hero is.
"This whole world is a mess, you guys are all the mess. In one moment one wants to enter in fair combat, in another, they jump out of a bush and try to gut me. It's… frankly very very stupid. This whole thing," I muttered, gritting my teeth.
"What- I'm sorry I don't understand. Listen if you could just lower your weapon I can assure you that-"
"I don't want your empty promises." I blankly sighed.
"You… don't want my wha-" He said puzzled as he slightly stepped forward with his weapon lowered.
I pushed the barrel into Pherso's skull harder which in turn made his head slightly droop, before screaming, "DO I HAVE TO REPE-"
"NO!" Goliath suddenly yelled, interrupting me this time.
Surprisingly nobody had done any sudden movements since this whole mess started, but this is really only a matter of time. I need to speed this shit up, and now, I don't want to be here any longer than I have to. Every second spent here is another second I could possibly get killed, I need to take this opportunity, and take it now!
"I'll let your friend go, if you let and my posse go. That is the only way I will leave him unharmed," I could feel a sense of guilt rise slightly, though it was quickly overwhelmed by the excruciating pain and anger I was feeling, "I don't want to hurt anyone, you seem like a somewhat decent guy… but… I want to live."
"You wish to live?" He questioned.
"I want to see my family… I did not choose to be a hero in this hell of a world!" I suddenly screamed.
I could feel tears forming inside my eyes ever so slightly. Why was my body like this? Why now? Why? There was an eerie silence that permeated the whole battlefield, everyone's eyes either drifting off or locked in on me with a sense of disgust or hatred most likely. But I could care less, these damn scoundrels are a waste of my time, but for now, I must endure.
"Faith! Conrad! Get over here!" I quickly yelled over to both of them.
They hesitated, seemingly frozen in place, probably because they don't exactly trust their opponent not to do anything if they turned their back. I signalled with my head for them to hurry up to which Faith was able to get the memo and begin to inch back towards me. I'm not exactly sure how but I sensed that Ceroba did something, or was planning something, either way, I wasn't going to let that happen.
"Hey, Fox Lady I swear try anything and I'll make sure you're next on my kill list!" I threatened loudly.
She flinched for a second, before responding abruptly, "I have a name you… you worm! Don't think you will get away with this!," she growled as I felt a nasty glare come from her direction.
I only rolled my eyes and in turn In the corner of my view, I saw Conrad also backing up from his opponent, I assume he also got the memo hopefully. I really don't… don't want to kill this guy, I mean he probably has family and friends waiting for me, clearly, Gorlith cares enough about him to not just run at me. I just hope he does not call my bluff, but, in the heat of the moment, I can't promise anything.
While it probably took only a couple of seconds, it felt like ages as I waited for Faith and Conrad to trudge over to where I was. As they got closer I could see Faith having multiple burn marks and holes in her robe she usually has. She and Conrad also seemed pretty beat up, though I guess it makes sense most of us are outmatched and Conrad is lacking his armor.
"Good thinking Alex," Faith whispered as she moved to my left side.
I only gave a weak nod in response. I turned to Conrad who came up a few moments later. Going to my right and still keeping a rather rigid stance even though he is clearly out of striking range.
"I guess we were able to give them the slip," Conrad joked half-heartedly.
I only gave him a quick glance of uninterest before turning back to the task at hand. Wrong time Conrad, wrong time. Though it is the right time for something else.
"Conrad run his pockets," I stated as I reaffirmed my grip on my revolver.
"Run his pockets-"
"Take his stuff," I blankly reiterated.
"Wait- Alex? I can understand going to desperate measures and the ends to a need but tha-"
"I told you to do something, not asked you," I huffed as I slightly turned to him, "Either you do it or Faith does it."
I might as well make the most that I can in this situation. It's not guaranteed that I'll make it out and you never know I might need it down the line. I don't want to exactly kick someone while they are down but if they are down on the ground I'm in the 7th layer of hell.
Conrad gave an exasperated sigh but he finally complied as he walked over to Pherso. Pherso twitched slightly to which I stopped with a small nudge of my barrel.
"Just let us do our thing and you will come out of this alive," I said passive-aggressively, "You value your life more than some items, right?"
"Y-yeah," he shakily whispered.
"Good, now hold still," I commanded.
You're gettin-zz… out of communication distance tzzz… a bit
You're already starting to break up Colonel, not much longer until we will be going in blind.
Unders-zzz, remember that Wyverns mig-zzz… in the area.
Roger that, we'll be as quick as a hawk don't worry.
Don't get cocky, remember what happened last mass raid we did.
Dwelling on the pas-zz… n't help anyone.
I know, I'm shutting off my long-range communicator to save mana.
Co-zzz… zzz-ood luck.
Conrad put his weapons on the ground and then began to frisk him, I saw some slight movements from Gorlith and many more glares but I was in too deep to care. These guys have never faced what I have, or maybe they have, who knows? Either way, this is necessary, they would do the same, maybe worse if they were in my position for all I know.
Conrad pulled out a number of blue crystals, probably mana gems that mages seem to have that they draw mana from when they get low. Though, unlike the ones that I absorbed before, these seem to be in better condition and of higher quality.
"Put anything you find into my weapon gem," I hurried Conrad.
He seemed to give a rather slow nod, most likely he is upset with me. I probably would be too, but I can't let this opportunity just pass by me like this. He put the gems up against the gem that was on the underside of my handle, though unlike normally, the item did not get absorbed.
Does it not work whenever someone else does it? Looks like I'll have to do it myself if so. I carefully released my left hand from my revolver and moved it over to Conrad's side.
I motioned my left hand for him to give me the gems, "Let me try."
He put one of the gems into my hand, to which when I brought it closer to the gem, got absorbed. Looks like my weapon will only accept stuff I put inside myself, kind of annoying but whatever. I quickly absorbed the rest of the gems and then put my grip back on my revolver.
"Anything else Conrad?" I asked him.
"Yeah there is a couple more stuff," He grunted as he went back to frisking Pherso, "Though if this guy is a magic caster, where is his staff?"
"Was this guy supposed to have a staf- OH!" I suddenly exclaimed.
I could vaguely make out this guy dropped something right as I threatened to blow his brains out. It was probably his staff or whatever equivalent it is to that.
"Faith do me a favor and get the staff that this guy dropped," I ordered.
I expected some retaliation about how I'm not the boss of her but surprisingly she turned around and complied. Looks like miracles can happen I suppose.
"Here are some potions," Conrad said as he outstretched a hand with three flasks.
I repeated the process of getting my non-dominant hand free and absorbing the flasks as he brought out a couple more. Compared to other times though, I unlocked three new weapon forms by doing so.
Calorie Sling LV 1
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: Stamina Up (Small)
[O]
Energy Sling LV 1
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: SP Increase (Small)
[O]
Potential Energy Sling LV 1
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: Stamina Use Down (Small)
[O]
In total, there were around 10 flasks he had, though checking my inventory quickly I could see I only had 7. Coincidently I did not have 3, something to note for later. Something also to remember is that my weapon did not change form as long as I had some sort of conscious thought that I did not want it to change, since normally it does so for new forms.
"Some money," Conrad blankly said as he handed me a rather hefty coin pouch.
I stuffed it into my left pocket as best as I could, normally I would split it into two considering its size but my phone, surprisingly seemingly intact was tacking up my right pocket. I moved some of the loose coins that would not into my back right pocket as the left one had a convenient hole in it.
"He has a pocket knife," He stated as he brought out a rather intricate-looking blade, "Mind if I take it?"
Curious how Conrad went from the moral high ground to now wanting to take stuff, no point dwelling on it though.
"Sure, just make sure to keep searching him for anything useful," I said with a sigh.
I think I probably have enough time to get one or two more items from this guy, Gorlith probably already has something planned in the back of his head to save his friend. It's also not helping that my body is unconsciously trying to calm down which is lowering my heartbeat and with it, my adrenaline. I know this as I can begin to feel some whiplash from those crunches and cracking whenever I got pressed into the ground.
"Y-you Kno-" Pherso tried to speak up nervously.
"What," I said in a deadpan tone as I reaffirmed my grip once more on my weapon.
His trembling increased just for a moment but it returned back to a small vibration like before.
"Y-you don't got t-to do t-this," he stuttered.
He wouldn't be saying that if he knew what we were forced to go through. Basically trapped between an anvil and a hammer, and I don't plan on being smushed.
"No, I have to. If you knew what I have been through, and why I have to survive, you would understand," I muttered roughly.
"Well, M-maybe if y-you-"
"No. I don't have the time nor patience to explain, I'm getting out of here," I then slightly pressured my weapon into his skull, "And whether you live or not is dependent on you cooperating or not," I threatened.
I could feel him slightly tense up from me saying that, that's good though, that means he won't start blabbering again.
"I got his staff!" Faith yelled out from behind me as she walked over.
"Give it here," I motioned as I moved my free hand over behind me.
There was a moment of silence where she did not respond. Though I did motion once more by the movement of my fingers for her to give it. To which I finally felt the feeling of a rod of sorts landing on the palm of my hand.
Bringing it in front of me I saw it looked pretty generic for a staff, wooden, though extremely dark and there seems to be a large gem at the end of it, probably a mana gem. There were some engravings etched on the side by some sort of golden paint of sorts, rubbing it did nothing to remove them. No point not keeping it I suppose, even if I don't use mana.
I was about to put it next to my gem for it to be absorbed only for Pherso to begin squirming again.
"What did I fucking tell you," I snarled as I delivered a weak kick at his heel.
He gave a quick yelp but as quick as I kicked him, a sudden jolt of pain emanated from my leg and moved up my body. I involuntarily shuddered as my body began to remind itself it was exhausted and pretty beat up. I grit my teeth and tried to mentally numb the pain, though I also felt my brain falter as my lack of rest made it sluggish. I guess Mind over Body won't work if both Mind and Body don't want to do something.
"S-sorry! I-I swear I'm n-not trying to escape, p-please just d-don't, d-don't take my s-staff, p-please, I beg!" He stuttered in a panic.
It's probably some high-level staff that cost this dude a ton of money, I can relate to not wanting to exactly give away something expensive. But, this is different, it's a dog-eat-dog world here apparently, in some cases more literally than normal, but still.
"Sorry, I don't care how much this thing cost you but you can get another, I can't exactly do that," I bluntly said as I brought the staff closer to my gem.
"It's not that!" He suddenly screamed out, making me slightly flinch and pause.
It's not that? Then what the hell could it be? Don't tell me it's his favorite or something, that's a whole load of bullshit that I couldn't give a damn about.
"I-ts just t-that," I could almost hear him gulp as his stutter seemed to get worse, "I-it's b-been pas-ssed down from g-generations. I c-can't l-lose it…"
Ah, so it's a family heirloom.
"You either let me take the damn staff or I take your life, what will it be here jackass?" I retorted.
There was a long silence as he seemed to contemplate his choices, will he really giving me his staff be worse than dying? Surely one will not have to think this long for something with such an obvious answer. Either way, I need to fastrack this, the longer I take the more time they have to figure out how to beat my ass. I narrowed my eyes and brought the staff once more a little closer to the gem, which finally prompted a reaction once more.
"OKAY OKAY!" he exclaimed suddenly, before his expression softened, "Will I-... I-"
"Speak without having bricks down your throat please," I snidly remarked.
"WILL I GET IT BACK!" he screamed, close enough to my ear to make me slightly flinch.
Though in that moment he attempted to wrestle the staff from my free hand by yanking his whole body away from me in a swift movement, though immediately as I realized I kicked where I assumed his lower calf was. Luckily I was correct as he almost instantly fell to his knee from the sudden impact. A small yelp escaped his mouth as he dropped to the ground.
The ringing following his scream was still reverberating in my head, but alongside that, a new boiling anger began to take hold. Though for now it was mostly being held back by the pain pulsating throughout my body.
"No, you won't," I grunted as I grit my teeth, "Try that shit again and your brains are being blasted across this freshly wet grass, might as well give the flowers some more nutrients while we are at it," I threatened.
That seemed to hit a nerve as he finally stopped his trembling and instead practically froze. I finally brought the staff close enough for my gem to react and the whole thing got absorbed into my weapon. Expetandly Pherso seemed to notice this and he began to tremble once more, there seemed to be some reactions from the onlookers but I was too caught up in what popped up in my menu to care or notice.
Ditirite Wood Pistol
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: MP Recovery Up (Small)
Geodine Ore Bow
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: +7 Defense, MP Up (Medium)
Mana recovery? Man with some of these weapon forms it just seems like I'm being trolled by some God of sorts, literally giving me the most useless shit for my situation.
"Now then," I began out loud to make sure everyone observing could hear, "Me and my party are leaving, if anyone tries to stop us then I think you can assume what will happen.
I shifted my gaze from left to right, observing to see if there were any sudden moves from the onlookers. Luckily other than a few nasty? I can't exactly make it out but other than a few looks of anger there was nobody who looked like they wanted to play the hero. Gorlith was also surprisingly cooperating, I was half expecting him to do something by now, especially with that arrogant attitude he had at the start… though he was awfully courteous with me as well…
"Hey! Earth to Alex!" Faith suddenly snapped from my side.
I glanced at her before responding, "What?"
"I assume that's our cue to leave, right?" She asked with her arms crossed.
"Yeah, it was, change into that big plane form again, let's just do the same thing that we did when we left the capital," I suggested.
"Ok, please tell me you have a plan on dropping this… thing off, I don't think it would be safe nor would we have enough space to take a hostage," Faith questioned as she motioned to Pherso's trembling figure.
Well, that's a weird way of saying it. But I don't think it will be too too hard to drop him off. Though I guess I can understand as to why she is asking as if we just give him off now we will most likely get jumped, and if we do it too late we would probably be seen as taking him and they might attack us. So the middle ground is needed unless I want them to get crazy on us, since from that whole fucking mess from before I could tell that a direct fight will probably get us killed.
"I have something in mind just get ready fast, I don't want to stay here any longer than I have to," I spat as I turned back towards the many figures looking at us.
The heavy rain continued to fall on me as I pressed my gun into the fur of Pherso to remind him that we were not just going to hand him over. Messing up now out of all times would be extremely detrimental, as much as I… wish? No, I don't want to kill him, definitely no, but I just want to teach them a lesson so to speak.
Yeah… a lesson. This shitty world seems to get worse by the day, I would rather live in some Russian work camp in all honesty. Yeah, I won't get treated well but at least I won't get killed by some rabid dogs, or get crushed to death with practically a hydraulic press. My body still heavily ached, the pain is manageable for now, but I'm fairly certain that it's only thanks to adrenaline.
I tensed my muscles semi-unconsciously as I for some odd reason wanted to reflexively check for the damage. The pain that did emerge from mostly my arms and legs while they did hurt, also… pushed me? Not sure how to explain it but with everything going on all at once I could feel myself slowly slipping in a sense.
I was in between collapsing and just completely going berserk. Both either from anger, sleep exhaustion, or even pain. I wanted to just lay down, sleep, yes I am drenched and all wet, but I for sure could probably sleep here if I wanted to. Maybe I'll wake up from this hellish world, though I know deep down that I'm really here, this isn't some sort of simulation or very vivid dream.
The pain was real, the experiences are real. The loneliness that has been creeping up on me is real, the yearning to go back, hell I would rather be back in class than be in the state I am in. Maybe this works that when I die I'll get a game over screen and I'll return to reality. I know I'll be told I'll die, but maybe that's only what they want me to think?
My beating heart told me otherwise, dying still would be going against everything that my natural instincts of self-preservation are telling me. In those moments where I felt my back against the wall, I knew that feeling of myself exerting myself past the limit I knew would most likely get me badly hurt, but I would survive, and that's all I wanted to do. Yet… I also…
The sound of a running engine began to ring in my ears. I almost reflexively turned, though I paused and kept my gave looking forward. It was probably Faith. I can't falter now, not when I was, so close to freedom. But am I really going to freedom? Conrad said where we are heading is safer, but what if he is wrong? What if it's the same as here? Then what? What if this is hell? What if I just died and this my damnation? Being hunted down as some… criminal, the scum of the Earth, or… wherever the hell I am. Why…?
I could only grit my teeth as I gave a heavier-than-normal sigh. My heartbeat pulsed rapidly through my body. I used my free arm to move my wet hair to the side. My muscles tensed but only for a moment. I turned my gaze to Pherso who now seemed to have stopped his trembling. I could see the rising and falling of his body as he breathed in and out somewhat sporadically, alive, calm definitely not, but still.
He had a life, he had a family, just like me… yet. I can't sympathize, because he can't either, It's like when people from two completely different cultures meet, there's obviously friction but this? This is outright hostility. Like with Colombus and the Indians, though in that case there was a goal in mind, that being money. What do they want to accomplish here? Kill their only hope?
Well, I wouldn't say that, these Mythic Guys are clearly out of my league. But even so, should we not help each other? Are we not all in the same? The engine spurred louder behind me, almost drowning out the sound of the rain and my environment. Of course, they are actually from here, but what does that matter to anyone? Do they not want to save their world? Do they not know? Why are they like this? Is there even a point in questioning it?
I could only feel my wet hair slide back down my face as I lowered my gaze. The rain pattering my skin. The cold feeling that follows. The aching of my body. It… reminded me. Reminded me of before, right, Avery and the school. I wonder what she's up to, is she well? It's been a while since I thought back to then, too much happening now to do so. I stopped pushing the muzzle into the back of Pherso's head.
My muscles untensed. I wonder what would have happened if I did not get back on my computer. Would I have just gone on like normal? Though… Oh right! I got mad… I forgot why exactly but I was mad at George and the others. Did I do something? Did they do something? I hope Avery does not hate me for not showing up, maybe she thinks I got sick? No… My heartbeat calmed.
My grip loosed. I told her that I would see her, but I don't know why but it felt different. I meant it, as much as I hate to admit. As much as I hate parties, as much as I hated Ave- No I never hated her. Why would I? Of course, she had her moments where I would distrust her but. But…
"ALEX TAKE COVER!" Conrad suddenly yelled to my side.
I jumped in place suddenly at the sound as I was pulled away from my reminiscence. My heart immediately began to pump in action once more as I felt the calm hum of Faith's engine get… closer? Louder? Turning to Conrad, who only gave a panicked expression as he began to move away from me. He was pointing upwards at the sky. To which I turned and I saw them.
Planes.
Planes?! Here?! Now?! I turned to Faith only to also see her missing. I looked around in a panic but before I could fully process more I was taken aback by a sudden Roar from a distance away.
"SHIELD PROJECTION!"
I felt myself being slammed backward as I tumbled into the wet grass. I raised my weapon thinking that maybe Gorlith or someone else got close enough to hit me only to instead see a somewhat similar-looking orange shield vibrantly glowing in front of my eyes. Wait I need to!
The sounds of thundering explosions began to fill my ears as I felt the ground quite literally shake. I could only look up once more to see that the planes had begun to fire what seemed to be guns…? Or lasers better yet as well as rocks which seemed to explode a few moments after hitting the ground. The explosions knocked up the earth and launched in multiple directions, some of it hitting me, the feeling of some rocks mixed in with the dirt was definitely felt on my skin.
I could to move. Was I scared? Was I scared of death? Of course, I am! I'm only Human, that's normal… But this isn't the first time I stared down death… I turned my eyes down from the sky back onto the ground where I was knocked down only to see a giant glowing shield. I only had enough time to roll to the side to avoid it hitting me. The shield dragged whatever grass and dirt was below it along the way, with the bottom probably being the cause of that. I turned to see where the shield went just in case it attempted to make another round, but instead, there was… nothing?
I jolted my head back to where it originally manifested in front of me, separating me and Pherso though my vision was clouded as the kicked-up dirt from the explosions all around began to form a miasma of dust and smoke. That on top of the already existing lingering mist made everything in all directions increasingly hard to see.
"OVER HERE!" I heard a familiar feminine voice yell from a distance to my side.
We lost the hostage, we have to escape now. I bolted as quickly as I could through the smog, doing my best to dodge any incoming strafing fire that sporadically shot through overhead from the planes presumably. All while the continuing rumbling and cracking of explosions raged all around me, some close, some far, but other than a few fragments of stone and rock lodging themselves in my skin I was mostly alright.
Eventually, I arrived at what I assumed to be the source of the voice, and I knew I arrived as I felt the feeling of my knee hitting something before Faith yelped in pain slightly. I saw her figure sitting on her plane which I just now noticed and probably hit fairly hard.
"What was that for?!" She angrily snarled as she lifted her head from the cockpit.
"Sorry Sorry!" I quickly huffed as I waved my hands to calm her down, "Are we ready to go?!"
"Yeah let's get out here," she said as she reached down to lift me up to the the body of the plane.
I got up and got in the gunner seat in the back. She is using the same weapon form we were using beforehand. As I situated myself I saw that Faith was resourceful enough to attach Nickoli back onto the plane, so we will most likely have a similar setup as when we first escaped.
I felt the hum of the plane engine grow louder as I was slightly jolted with the start of us moving. I raised my hand as much as it ached to block the raindrops that were now slamming my face instead of my head. Though I mostly ignored them as I felt a small amount of dread creep in me, due to the possibility of the Planes just attacking us out of nowhere. It doesn't seem like they coordinated in their fire that much, but from the looks of it at least they are not explicitly targeting us.
Wait that still is not addressing why there are planes here to begin with. Well were they actually planes? It might honestly be my mind playing tricks on me. The only thing I really saw was a glimpse of something gray before explosions began to erupt all around me. The feeling of liftoff being achieved was honestly relieving to me, less chance I'd die by a sudden explosion.
Well, that's also hoping that the planes don't shoot us down. If they even are planes, maybe they are just oddly shaped dragons? Do those exist? I don't even know. Do I even care? Could I even do anything if that did happen? My health says otherwise sitting at a very cool 15% or so. One good hit and I'm most likely going to just drop dead.
As we finally lifted enough off the ground to get out of the smog, I looked back to see some flashing lights of various colors inside the said smog. Almost like a dirty rainbow… a very wet and dirty rainbow. It was sort of… enthralling? It sort of mesmerized me, my vision clouded for a moment before I forcibly grasped myself to not fall asleep.
"Right Alex, you're exhausted but anything can still happen. If you're going to sleep do it when you're safe, or relatively safe. If you're going to die then do it with your eyes open now," I solemnly chuckled to myself.
I gave a half yawn before grasping my face, wiping my already wet face with more water to hopefully wake me up further. But considering how I already am drenched in rainwater, it only dampened my skin further if anything. Well to be expected my suppose.
What definitely did wake me up was the sudden appearance of one of the supposed planes a distance to our right. Followed by another on our left. They looked to be World War I-era prop planes, flying in tangent with Faith on her sides. I looked back forward to see Faith… shaking? Don't tell me she is going to get us fucking killed.
"Uh Faith I don't think we should-"
"YES!" She suddenly blurted angrily, "I know! Don't do anything stupid, I think I'm smart enough to know that no?"
Right, she isn't stupid all the time. Turning back to the planes they seemed to be signaling us to turn by dipping their wings in parallel directions. Good to know they at least won't kill us instantly. Either way, they definitely know we are not one of them, right? Well maybe not, I'll just have to see where they stand on us whenever we land, if they let us land, wherever we land.
"Let's hope we are not jumping straight into another Viper's nest now."
END OF CHAPTER 24
Authors Notes:
Hello everyone. Either this is you returning from seeing my rewritten prologue, or who is just realizing the prologue is being rewritten along with the story. Most of the info regarding said rewrite can be found there but I'll summarize to those who have only read this due to the notification (If only FFN updated for chapter changes).
This will be rather quick so I highly recommend reading the prologue rewrite if you have not to get an actual understandable explanation. I wish to rewrite this fic to better fit a new style I am more comfortable with and more proud of to use. This will affect the schedule for posting (that I will now actually adhere to [I promise for real this time]) It will be done so that for every 2 rewritten chapters, I will write one new one. This chapter is the exception as it's written in the old style which I kind of think is messy.
Nevertheless, I will also now post every other week, to further accommodate the quality changes I wish to do, which include clearer writing, better-written character interactions, longer chapters, etc. Expect the next upload (Which will be the first rewritten chapter [Excluding the first one] in the cycle) This will be posted this week. After two weeks after that upload another rewritten chapter will be posted. Two weeks after that chapter 25 but in my new style of writing. I hope that explains it well enough.
Anyways, apologies for my last hiatus, which I promise WILL be my last one. Lots of IRL stuff came up, people graduating, some marriages, etc. I will adhere to my schedule from now on unless some major incident occurs. I hope you all bear with me with this incoming rewrite. I also apologize for the sort of… weird state of this chapter, I was already halfway done writing in my old style before changing. Then I began working on it on and off throughout the last few months, so apologies if it seems… worse than normal. I just lost a good amount of motivation writing like this, I hope you understand.
I think that should be it, I hope you all return next week. I'll see if I can upload the prologue Part II as a new chapter and just put its order down next to Part I, that way you all get notified and it does not mess up the formatting of the chapters. This has been long, expect great things hopefully, and see you all soon!
(I'll post that AO3 link eventually I swear.)
(Also no extra bits, sorry!)
MWP Server:
Dis co rd. gg / Bu ha 9 Qa Kz W