Arc 2 - Chapter 34: A Herculean Fireball

(Quintiles 29, 59 / 10:59PM)

“Home sweet home.”

Both Jack and Gwen turned their heads left. Seeing the two-story building, which laid dorms, a garden, a large kitchen, and a huge gym, it was none other than their home.

Seeing a vast amount of military trucks, all the automobiles had stashes of ammo and crates beneath the flaps. No engine to rumble the street, it left the cicadas to pierce the night air with their melodies.

“Why are they treating our headquarters like a motel?”

“There ain’t nothing wrong lending soldiers rooms. Think of it as a big sleepover.”

Turning the engine off, Jack placed his hand on the handle before getting himself out. Once out of the van, he pushed his palms onto his lower back, and arched it so a mellow crack reverberated his spine.

Gwen walked toward the back of the van, and encountered the lock pin. Placing her left hand underneath her chin, she looked down dumbly the more she thought of the combination.

‘Ah which combination is it? It’s got to be something right?’

Two loud thumps were heard from within. Denting the metal of the wall, she widened her eyes, and wrinkled her eyes from stress. Jack, who walked right next to her, had a somewhat pale face when talking to Gwen.

“If you don’t want to be punched, the combination is 2263.”

Nodding at his words, she began to tap the combination without even verifying. The doors making a loud clunk, she began to slowly walk back, as her boots brushed away small debris littering the street.

“Open sesame!”

With the doors opened, it unveiled three men who wore tired faces. Looking like they might crash onto the floor, the only one who had emotion … was a pissed off Luna. Rubbing the back of her head, she curved her mouth erratically to make herself look wry.

“Hehe, sorry for taking so long.”

Glaring at her, she placed her boots to the hard concrete before giving her a ‘hmpf’. Widening her eyes, Jack, Miles, and Stan also did as well, since they let their jaws drop.

‘‘‘She’s not putting up a fight!’’’

Luke was the last to settle his boots on the ground. Feeling the cold pavement strain his boots, he rubbed the back of his neck whilst he catched up with Luna. Being right beside her, he noticed her unusual quietness.

“You hungry? I could set up a small meal for you.”

“Good, because I need to shower.”

“A-Alright. If you want, I could try to find a chocolate dinner if they’re available.”

She meeped, and softened her cheeks to turn pinkish red. Nodding at his words, it left Luke to run on ahead, and left Gwen and everyone else to push up chuckling laughs. Knowing she was a tsundere, and knowing everyone knew, Luna averted her eyes to the side while she walked.

________________________________________________________________________

In the center of the building, was a spacious backyard slash garden.

With many cement trails scattering the area, a couple of barbeque pits lit up for the special occasion. Smoke still ever present in the orange sky, a couple of ash sprinkled onto the grass. Along with all the soldiers present, they didn’t have the energy to have fun, as they looked utterly exhausted.

“No place like home.”

Five adults slid into the backyard without notice. Being the last group to enter, Gwen had her gaze already at two different groups. She pointed her finger straight at them, which led Luke and his friends to pin their eyes.

“That’s the others.”

“And it looks like they got food without us. Speaking of which, nobody is really that excited or energized huh?”

“What do you expect? We just defended the city from an attack…”

Many soldiers had within their hands white paper plates and plastic utensils. Causally eating their steak and rice, the noise amongst them was minimal. The only thing glistening with the wind was their munching, and it pushed Luke to look down.

To see cracks littering the concrete pavement.

‘Taking for granted the little things, while overcoming the biggest of obstacles. That’s how a soldier is huh…’

All of them down in the dumps, Gwen pushed up a cheeky grin with her right lip. Raising her right hand, she waved at the soldiers, and cleared her throat while she did.

“Hey, y'all! So where’s the drinks!?”

Their munching stopped; comedically.

All of their heads turned toward the cheeky woman, who wore a black leather jacket and boots. Glaring at the woman with shadowed eyes, it was enough for Luke and the others to softly stall behind.

The two groups that Gwen had pointed towards, all wrinkled their foreheads and cheeks to the fullest. Not wanting to be part of her, she waved her hand specifically at them, which pushed the soldiers to turn their heads at the specific groups.

“Come on! You know you can’t have a party without drinks!”

“Uhm Gwen … I don’t think it’s a good time…”

“Oh, come on Luke! Why aren’t these soldiers celebrating?! It’s like a big sleepover right!?”

Shoving her to move forward, Miles had the strength to push her feet to work. Without fighting back, she gawked, but she scoffed at the mere thought of one of her men forcing her to walk.

As she let it go, the group reached toward the other two groups. And in the middle, was a man wearing a fedora with bowl-cut hair. Except for Luna and Jenny, everyone was present.

“I’m surprised you made it.”

“Same goes for you, you old fart.”

Many of the soldiers resumed their eating, and left the three groups to talk amongst themselves. Clearing his throat, Boris fixed up his bowtie to try to make himself look straightened.

“During the assault, I noticed that only a handful of marines and platoons were stationed here in Lagefor. I checked the data and records, and what do you know? 90% of them were relocated to many other cities or elsewhere, leaving the reserves to do the guarding.”

“But why?”

“No clue.”

A blonde-haired agent turned his head toward the three groups, and stared at them with furrowed eyes. Along with his followers, they all stared at Boris specifically, which led the blonde-haired agent to push out a glare. Because in a way, nobody outside the government knows about the relocation of their main forces, leaving them no choice but to hear.

Boris continued to talk, although he felt a couple of glares directed his way.

“But some agents and marines remained, so it gave me a theory. Most of the military and government were stationed in El Niabea, as it’s another military stronghold second to—”

“How do you know about El Niabea?”

Boris flinched.

Turning his attention onto a small group of four, he saw Briggs walking toward him with glaring eyes. With Ada and Eren right next to him, and Alexandra behind him, all four of them were cladded in tuxedo black.

Boris softly chuckled and felt sweat clamming his forehead.

“That’s classified information. Where did you hear it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t avoid my question.”

Briggs and the other government agents began to tower over him, as their hands were stationed within their pockets. Although Boris’ subordinates took another step back, they all readied their fists, and glared their eyes fully toward the group.

Since Briggs had his right hand in his pocket, he slowly pulled it up halfway. Gulping, Boris saw a tint of black caressing Briggs’ palm.

“Where did you get that information?”

“That’s enough.”

David stood in front of the blonde-haired agent, and towered over him with his shadow. Darkening his face, and his hands inside his leather jacket, he calmly stared at the group of agents.

“Regardless of what Boris said was classified, we risked our limbs to protect this city. Evidently, you were the ones to initiate the conversation first.”

“Excuse me?”

“It was common knowledge that most of our main forces will be directed elsewhere. But you got angry when Boris mentioned the name El Niabea. So…”

David placed his right hand underneath his chin, and used his pointer finger to rub his jaw. Letting out a small smirk, he had his right lip reach the halfway point between his jawline and his ear.

Briggs on the other hand furrowed his brow, as his right hand continued to grip metal object. Along with the other agents steady with their hands, the only thing stopping him was Briggs himself.

“He said it was a theory, not a fact. Therefore, Boris never knew if what he said was classified. Oh wait … you spilled the intel regarding this info, meaning you, you were the one to speak of it.”

Briggs remained silent.

Looking down to the ground, Briggs allowed a heap of air into his wrinkled lungs. Followed by the other agents hearing about David’s logic, it left them to widen their eyes, while they let their hands stall on their thighs.

“So what, you going to arrest me?”

“I’m more of an executioner than a judge. I’ll let Boris give judgement.”

Boris straightened his back, and clasped his hands to settle everyone’s increasing tension. Making everyone startled, he then lowered his hands onto his stomach, and focused his eyes on Briggs’ cold ones.

“How about this? We keep this a secret. For one, it’s our job as soldiers to protect the weak, not the strong.”

“Sure. Whatever.”

Rubbing the back of his head, Briggs let out a cold scoff that shambled his vocals. At the same time, Fred raised his right hand up, and gathered everyone’s attention with ease. Stiffening his face, he pushed out a quivered smile, and made himself look submissive, not confident.

“Hehe … Aren’t we all tired? I mean, all this combat has stirred us around.”

“Taking it into consideration. Yes. I suppose it is almost midnight.”

Turning his attention onto Briggs again, he extended his right hand out. His palm noticeably sweaty and clammy, it led Briggs to let go of the weapon he gripped, which loosened back into his holster.

“Can you keep a promise?”

“As long as I don’t hit my head.”

Having no choice, Briggs extended his hand in return, and gave each other a firm handshake. Their eyes focused on one another, it led the Dark Angels and agents … to form a mini alliance….

________________________________________________________________________

(Libertatem 1, 59 / 3:22AM)

—Why can’t I sleep?

Lying awake inside his room, he spread his arms and legs out across. Looking up at the ceiling fan on top of him, he had the back of his head rested on a soft-cushioned pillow.

Wearing nothing but a black shirt and sweatpants, he had his hands underneath his pillow. His bedsheets on the wooden floor, his windows were closed so that no smoke littered in.

—I’m clean, I’m fed, and I’m exhausted from all the fighting so what gives?

Being snuggled in the dark, not a trace of light splurged his room. Slowly pushing his body up, he sat right on the center, and had his hands rested on his thighs.

—Come to think of it, I did the bare minimum … I didn’t really try …

His door creaked.

Luke turned his head toward the wooden door, and pushed himself off the bed. Walking on the rich wood with bare feet, he reached the door, he leaned his right shoulder against it. And having his ear be pressed, he pushed his breathing to dim.

He then—

Pushed the door with all his might.

“Ow!”

Swinging in full force, it smacked onto a poor person’s face, with the nose taking the brunt of it. Hearing a loud thump tremble the wood, it gave Luke the window to uncover his stalker.

Able to see through the darkness, the person covered their nose with both their hands. Blood dribbled from their nostrils, he took note of their hair and their face…

“Oh no …”

The woman had blonde hair and blue eyes. Shaking his head softly, he crouched down, and extended his hands outward as guilt weighed on him.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have done that!” Said Luke, who trailed his words in a whisper.

“Y-You didn’t have to push it that hard!” Said Hope, who also trailed her whispered voice.

Bringing her up, he had his hands pressed onto her bony shoulders. As she had her bare feet glued to the wood, he brought her into his room, and softly closed the door. Seeing that she was still bleeding, since it painted bits of the floor red, he motioned her to the side of his bed.

Walking up to his cabinet, he yanked out a drawer, and instantly took out a bandage and a napkin. Closing the drawer, Luke turned his head toward Hope, who softly kicked her feet back and forth against the bed.

Pushing his soft feet toward Hope, he reached her, and began to tap her nose with the white simple cloth. Although the texture was rough and coarse, most of the bleeding sulked into the napkin. Pulling back his hand, he stuck on the bandage.

“There. That should do it … ish.”

“T-Thank you.”

“Speaking of which, why are you up this late at night? Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

“I uh … I couldn’t sleep…”

Hope clutched her hands together as she blushed. Keeping her fingers locked and intertwined, it left Luke to blush in return. Although his cheeks were red, and hers were pinkish red, he raised one of his hands that didn’t hold the napkin he gripped.

Rubbing his hair with his fingers, not a speck of dandruff rumbled onto his shoulders.

“Same … I just can’t stop thinking…”

“And also … if it’s alright with you …”

She had her eyes down, and her face convulsed in small batches of sweat. Slowly lifting her head up, she let her blue eyes mingle into his left eye. His side bang blocking his right, he widened both of them at the pure femininity that radiated from Hope.

“Can I sleep with you? J-Just tonight?”

His heart pounded against his chest. Feeling like it might explode, a quantity of sweat poured from his forehead, as well as his temples. Grabbing the collar of his shirt, he averted his eyes to the side as he nodded.

“... s-sure …”

Grabbing the bed sheets that littered his floor, Hope took the custom to wrap them around her. Saving half for him, he walked stiff, until he reached his side.

Laying like normal, the only difference was that a girl was right next to him. Trying to maintain his beating heart, while air circulated through his lungs, he looked solely at the ceiling.

“Hey Luke …”

“Yeah…”

“Are you still trying to reach your goal?”

Luckily for him, she spoke to him normally.

Turning his head toward her, he felt his stomach and chest loosen, as he let his red eyes glow in the dark. But they were dimmed, because in a way …

“I’m trying … but I’m struggling …”

“How?”

“Like … how can I be a great soldier, if all I do is run around with uzis and chemicals?”

His voice quivered slightly. Feeling like his vocals might fail, he kept them together, although they weren’t doing him any good.

“I know I’m not strong, yet I choose to be one. I’m not that fast, yet I have stamina. I just … I don’t know …”

“Oh Luke…”

She moved an inch closer to him, and had her toes softly caressing his feet. Slightly jostled at the sudden touch, it was like an ocean winter breeze had trickled his back. Her voice angelic, yet her motives said otherwise, she began to extend her hands outward to reach him.

“Being a soldier isn’t about strength.”

“Then what Hope?”

“It’s about who you choose to serve, and bond between you and the leader.”

Wrapping her arms and hands around his waist, he felt the warmth brewing in her fingers. Keeping her hands locked, and her face close to his, she pressed her knees close to his thighs.

Having him locked, Luke couldn’t move even if he tried.

“If you want to be Gwen’s bestest soldier, then don’t show her strength. Show her your strength.”

“Like what?”

“Well for one … you’re kind.”

Her grip tightened, she began to softly move her entire body toward him. Wrapping his legs with hers, and having her chest narrowly close, it was enough for her to hear the beating of his heart. Knowing her motives, and why she wanted to sleep with him, it was enough for him to slightly squirm.

Why would she sleep with him?

Well, given she almost died, wouldn’t it be better if she showed how much she cared for him?

“You’re the kindest man I’ve ever met. Ever since our first day of training, I have always admired you and your soft words. You’re just so… so …”

“... You’re really close …”

Their faces inches from each other, Luke and Hope felt their breaths caress their noses and lips. Wanting to take a step further, Hope leaned her head in, and closed her eyes and pinked her face.

With no way to dodge, Luke was strapped by Hope’s unusual strength, as both their lips were millimeters from connecting.

‘Like a cute puppy.’

His room was lit orange.

Along with silence ringing blare, Hope and Luke widened their eyes as the overbearing light. Ceasing whatever she was doing, they stopped to turn toward the window without any blinds. Peeling their eyes east, and with Hope’s body leaning into his shoulder, he felt his hands go numb the more he saw…

—A herculean fireball.—

‘Is that—’