Trust

The dust continues floating throughout the air and our pursuers make no immediate moves. Using this opportunity, I stumble to my feet and jump aboard the wagon once more.

"We must keep moving!"

They will not remain stunned forever. Much of the path is gone, but there is still plenty of room for the enemy horses to reach us. We hold the complete advantage in long range combat, so we must keep at least a few paces ahead.

After a few seconds, the young beast responsible for our lives joins me in the wooden basket. Apricot begins pulling us once more now that all passengers are on board.

"Are you alright, Peo?"

"Mhm."

"Good. This isn't over yet."

As much as I want to show gratitude to her, this is no time for such distractions. I aim my weapon and pull the trigger while the targets are still motionless.

BANG

One man falls to the ground and the rest begin giving chase once more. Their speed is far superior to ours, so it doesn't take long for them to nearly catch up.

BANG

A second horse is left to run without its owner, but now I'm forced to reload. Within the few seconds it takes for my gun to flash red, the spears are upon us. Two of our enemies begin jabbing at us from behind while one pulls beside us.

"Peo."

The young beast leaps in front of me and deflects every last attack while my cylinder rotates. I lift my weapon once more, but a shout from our driver interrupts my focus.

"We're turning! Hold on!"

Unexpected turbulence throws me into the wagon's railing, Peo landing on top of me with her scales forming a shell around us. Whilst we weather the turn, one of the spears begins striking our left wheels.

I try reaching my hand over Peo's head, but a spear from behind brushes just past my arm.

"Tch!"

My hand reaches for more fire stones and I launch one blindly behind us. Unfortunately, one of the horsemen is quick to knock the magical item out of the sky and over the cliff. These men are far too skilled to be ordinary bandits.

"We just need one good opening…"

If we try to peek out of our shell, an adept spear tries to skewer whatever body part is unprotected. I can maybe get away with taking one or two stabs, but I can't guarantee my safety after that. Any enemies remaining up ahead would be able to do as they please once I'm incapacitated.

"C."

Peo's voice reaches me. We're as close together as possible, yet part of me had completely forgotten that she was present.

"I see."

During missions, I always tended to prioritise survival above all else. Were I to find myself in a dangerous situation, I would use every resource to escape and live to fight another day. This did not change even when I had allies. I was not willing to leave my life in the hands of my fellow agents. Like me, they were killers that fought with their own lives in mind. I could never expect them to prioritise me over themselves.

That isn't the case now. The life of Peo and myself are inextricably linked.

Were it just about anybody else, I would have been hesitant to pull this stunt. However, this is Peo. We haven't known each other for long, but my gut tells me that this girl would never betray me. Best of all, she is capable of everything I can do and more. If anybody can handle things were I to be knocked out, it would be her. All that's left is to trust the fire in those green eyes.

"Ready?"

Sandy hair waves between our faces as she nods. We allow our enemies three seconds before we leap into action.

"Huh!?"

The figures normally silent beneath their hoods jump in surprise when I jump up onto the wooden crates in front of them. The situation likely appears too good to be true, but that doesn't stop the two rear horsemen from thrusting their metal polearms straight towards my chest.

"A small price to pay…"

I twist my body and grab hold of one spear as it pierces my shoulder. The second one cleanly strikes into my waist and sends a burst of blood into the air.

BANG

A pillar of red strikes back in return and the bloodied spear falls to the ground.

At my side, Peo manages to push back the horseman with her blue shields. He attempts to pull back and continue attacking from a distance. The beast can't do anything but stay on the defensive.

BANG

With the one in front of me pinned down, I use the next rotation of my revolver to strike her opponent dead.

"One more…"

My vision is slowly clouding over as I struggle to maintain my balance on the wagon and my grip on the spear. The horseman tries to push the metal point forward, but my remaining strength manages to keep the tip just barely away from my flesh.

His body language betrays his intentions. While I can see the motion he intends to take, there is little I can do about it. Blood not running out of my wound is sent to my brain to figure out my next move as the enemy horse slowly pulls back. After maybe a second, I'll be forced to either release the spear or be dragged face first into the dirt.

"I fall either way…"

My legs can't keep themselves standing at this point. Even if I were to release the metal pole, I would crumple and taste dirt regardless. With that in mind, I take a third option that only a fool would consider.

"Peo…handle the rest."

As the spear pulls back, I follow it. With whatever energy that remains, I drag myself out of the wooden basket with my right hand aimed to go for the kill.

BANG

That bright red light and deafening blast make up the last things read by my senses before an impact turns the world black.