Arc 2 - Chapter 36: Bringer of Death

(Libertatem 1, 59 / 3:55AM)

“For the team that will be dealing with her, you guys need to stall her for as long as you can!”

His heels still gripping the edge of the truck, he still maintained eye contact amongst the soldiers. Seeing the five that will be dispatched, he gave them warm smiles, with one of them reddening her cheeks a pinkish red. Smelling the smoke filled-air, and feeling the warm breeze caress aga “Yes sir!”

Placing their feet together, all the soldiers accompanying him gave a salute. Once Miles heard their confidence, he raised his right sleeve toward his forehead, and gleamed off a heap of sweat.

And behind Miles and Luna, three other men walked toward them. Diego, who truffled his spiky hair, had his eyes pinned at Miles specifically.

“And I’ll lead the way. I know which streets would be perfect for ambushes.”

“And Gary and I will assist you with some support. I got a couple of gadgets from Luke specifically.” Said Stan, who had his voice directed at Luna.

Tilting her head to the right, she raised her right lip up to the bottom of her ear. Creating a smirk, her eyes slanted as she looked at Stan, who in return also smirked.

“Then it’s a bet.”

“Got it. Hey Luke!”inst his face, Luke cupped his hands over his crotch.

“I would recommend using the surrounding buildings as leverage! But don’t worry, Miles and Luna are regarded as the toughest soldiers I know!”

Many of the soldiers let out sighs of relief, and placed their hands over their chests.

Luna looked over at the soldiers she’ll be going with, as her frown and folded arms made her cold. In contrast to her, Miles had already walked toward the group of soldiers, and put on a casual face like that of an older brother.

“Don’t worry men! As long as you listen to me or Diego, then you’ll be in good hands!”

Turning his head toward Luke, who was on top of the truck, he began waving his hand to get his attention. Once he did, Stan placed both of his feet together, and had his body straight while Luke stared at him.

“Good luck out there! You’re going to need it!”

‘Who am I kidding … he’s already lucky.’

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(Libertatem 1, 59 / 4:35AM)

“Stop right here, this is the place.”

A military jeeped pulled over to the side of the road, allowing whoever was in there to exit.

Opening the passenger doors, came about a man and woman, with the man having double-barrel shotguns while the woman carried two batons. Setting foot onto the asphalt, they felt the pavement crust, as both of them looked up to their right. Seeing the fiery monster already within the industrial district limits, it led them to glare.

And in the back of them, another jeep pulled over, and allowed one man to exit out. Being an elf, he had ginger hair, but he stalled at the door. Because still stuck in the jeep, was one of his friends who was somewhat chubby and tan.

“Come on Gary, we got to catch up to them.”

“I know just get me a second.”

As they stalled, Luna found a ladder on the side of the building. Reaching toward it, she gripped the handle of the ladder, she looked back toward the two.

“That fatass. Is he having trouble getting out?”

“We’ll let them handle it. Let’s just get to the roof.”

Beginning her climb to the top, she had her head tilted up as she scaled the ladder. Noticing that Miles was behind her, she glanced down at where he looked, which was the wall blanketed in brick.

Luna took no chances, as a vein splurged from the right corner of her forehead.

“Don’t even dare take a peep! If you want to keep your front teeth safe, I suggest looking down!”

“I wasn’t even looking up. And besides, I’m not even attracted to you. Hope is the closest thing I have to a crush.”

A hint of red burdened her cheeks, as she took Miles’ words like a form of rejection. Grinding her teeth, she returned her head toward the sky, and growled her words heavily.

“W-Whatever! I’ll kick your ass if you do!”

Reaching the top, Luna placed both of her hands on the edge, and pushed herself out of the ladder. Settling her boots on the dusty roof, Miles also reached the roof, and began to already breathe in heavy pants.

Because the air around them burned, sweat dripped from the corners of his jaw. And right in front of them, the sight of the monster was burned into their very eyes.

“So now what…?”

“I don’t know…”

The fiery feminine monster was only a mile away from them.

Having its sights on the city skyline, it stomped through the industrial buildings like bubblewrap. And with every stomp, they felt the rumbling beneath their feet, as if the poor cement and Terra was tortured by her weight.

“I’m going to radio in Diego, and see if the convoy is up to speed.”

Pushing his hand inside his pocket, he pulled out a walkie-talkie, and leaned his lips close to the device. Pushing a couple of buttons, his ears perked up at the screeching of static, until it rapidly ceased.

“Diego. How are the setups going?”

“Good so far. Me, the Lieutenant, and the Sergeant are finishing half of our ambushes.”

“Sounds good. Godspeed.”

Hearing the sounds of the device ceasing, Miles raised his right hand to grip the cross necklace he had. Being none other than Christ on the cross, he began to caress it the more he watched the beast, like he was trying to exorcist the creature.

“You religious?”

Miles turned his head around, and noticed her frown being replaced to a casual but not warm face. Being none other than her curious face, Miles glanced down at the necklace he wore.

“Of course. Raised in a small rural town. You?”

“Sort of. I was raised to attend church and whatnot, so I know the holy trinity, but it’s been forever since I last prayed.”

“Same here.”

He began to rub his fingers against the metal, and pushed the cross to be melted by his sweat. For the man that was nailed on that cross, was bestowed the worst of punishments.

Crucifixion; an execution that made even the evilest of men squeal.

Knowing the man’s suffering, and upon knowing what fate he had to conceive, he later died on that same cross. The oldest of tales, it pushed his followers to go forth… and establish hope for generations to come.

“This necklace was the last thing my mother gave me. It was before a big game, the game that led me to be a star quarterback … but that was the same day when Ticia was attacked…”

Miles was trying to reclaim whatever hope he had. Since the man died not just for his sin, but for everyone else’s, he took this fact to the way he narrowed his eyes.

Because after he rubbed the cross, a wave of it installed into his soul. Letting go of the cross, he turned his attention toward the fiery monster.

“I just hope God is looking down on us with a smile, because whether he likes us or not, determines our luck.”

“Then that means Luke is God’s favorite.”

Luna also glanced at the beast engulfed in inferno, causing her to click both buttons on her batons. Letting loose her twin, double-edged blades, the metal of them had reflected her face as well as the monster at hand. And upon glaring at the hellish sight, she saw the sky turn even more reddish.

Until they heard a yell.

Luna and Miles ran toward the edge of the industrial building. Dropping their eyes down, they saw the two men who were near the jeep; along with an extra person involved.

“You got to be kidding me…”

“I thought you took care of him!?”

Squint their eyes into the scene ahead, they noticed Stan fully gripping the helm of his rifle. And underneath the jeep, was a hand clastined in white, a hand that had frail fingers and blackish nails.

“Shit! Gary!”

“W-Who the hell is grabbing me!?”

“Missed me?”

Gary’s body froze the moment he heard that voice. Widening his eyes, he didn’t dare to look behind, as he kept his entire stare at Stan.

Coming out from underneath the jeep, a lich slithered out like a snake. Contorting its body to regular form, its bunny ears and all-black eyes managed to blush Stan’s face with sweat.

“So you’re planning to stop us…”

He had his assault rifle pointed at Ryan, with his finger already designated on the trigger. Focusing his pupils on the lich, who had his chest pressed onto Gary’s back, he glued his boots firmly on the pavement.

As Ryan had let go of Gary’s ankle, he then moved his hand toward the end of his nape.

“I’m afraid you're not getting away this time.”

“Guess Harold isn’t enough for you. Never thought you would rub off his death like that.”

“What…”

Stan puckered his lips into his mouth, as he felt Gary’s eyes be pierced into his soul. Feeling like he might explode, or worse, he saw that Ryan had a pushed up grin upon the scene that is displayed.

As he continued to sweat, the footsteps to the right grew louder and louder. Hearing the beast’s thundering stomps, even Ryan and Gary flinched.

“Look Gary, I didn’t have a choice.”

“Did you at least try to talk to him…”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“Answer me.”

Stan directed his eyes at the cold cement, as ash began to litter the surface. Unable to make eye contact with Gary, he took a step back, and felt his finger loosen with the trigger. Wanting to run away, wanting to hide, he was at the mercy of his jumping throat that tried to block his vocals.

“He attacked us first, but we managed to wound him. Me and Miles tried to help him out, but he pulled out one last attack. I wrapped him around with a rope, but one thing led to another and … he was rolled to death by the tire and pavement.”

His hands were balled into fists, and his eyes were narrowed to the most they could. Paling his knuckles, clamping his palms with sweat, his breathing turned erratic. Feeling like his weight was doubling down, his knees buckled by the sheer frustration that he was bottled—

Tears were welling up in his eyes.

“I’m tired…”