Chapter 32 - Blood (1)

Three individuals stand in front of us. In the middle, the adult, targeting Jenna, of average height and build, is wearing a turban and a veil with brown eyes.

To his right stands a young girl with a broad smile and hair that has a gradient of colors. Her iris surrounds the concentric circles of her yellow pupil. Despite her young age, she is several inches taller than us.

Finally, opposite me, another adult with a very imposing build. Tall, sturdy, with short golden hair and a confident smile. None of them are wearing armbands. They are all Recluses, and the big guy is probably their leader.

_ Ayden: “ What the hell is this?? Damn it, we've never been alone! ”

The girl takes a few steps forward, then turns around.

_ Person 2: “ Seriously, Pico, how did you manage to mess up? ”

_ Pico: “ Don't make me repeat myself, Edna. ”

She shrugs her shoulders.

_ Edna: “ Well, whatever. They're screwed anyway. ”

Some of the orphans grit their teeth.

_ Son: “ Those bastards, they really plan to smoke us out! ”

She turns around again and watches us closely.

_ Edna: “ Hey, look! They're wearing armbands. They're villagers! ”

_ Person 3: “ Look closely, their armbands aren't green. ”

_ Edna: “ Oh! You're right! They're brown. ”

_ Pico: “ They're from another Zone. What the hell are they doing here? ”

_ Edna: “ It doesn't matter why they're here. They're on our territory. And also… ”

_ Kaya: “ You talk a lot. ”

Every eye turns toward her, surprised by her sudden remark. Offended by her twin's condescending tone, Edna glares at her with an icy stare.

_ Edna: “ Huh? I thought I heard wrong. ”

_ Kaya: “ I said, you talk too much. Shut up and fight. ”

_ Kona: “ What an idiot! Why is she provoking her opponent?? ”

The anger and tone of voice gradually rise.

_ Edna: “ You insolent little girl! I'll eliminate you first! ”

Inflamed by Kaya's provocation, she rushes towards her at breakneck speed. She leaps several meters, lunging forward to deliver a sharp punch. With a fluid movement, Kaya dodges, taking two steps back. Without pause, Edna continues her offensive. A barrage of punches and kicks rains down on her prey.

_ Shailly: “ Kaya! ”

Shailly is about to help the twins when a sudden attack comes her way.

_ Hazel: “ Shailly, watch out!! ”

With a quick, instinctive movement, Maïko pushes Shailly, sending her to the ground just in time. Regaining her composure, she stands up.

_ Shailly: “ Thank you. ”

Maïko's gaze hardened, her voice tinged with dark determination.

_ Maïko: “ You'll thank me when we're all out of this mess. ”

_ Pico: “ Exactly. Never take your eyes off your opponent, kid. ”

As a spectator of the chaotic battlefield, I remain calm, my mind focused on finding a way out.

_ Person 3: “ Hey, kids. ”

But quickly interrupted by the last Reclu.

_ Person 3: “ You're looking at your comrades a lot, even though your opponent is right in front of you. ”

Son, Jenna, and I are stuck, much to our regret. Still wearing a very confident smile, he continues.

_ Person 3: “ Oh, but come to think of it, I haven't even introduced myself. ”

As we watch in amazement, he takes off his red T-shirt and gradually transforms.

_ Son: “ Oh, oh, hey, hey, hey... Seriously?? ”

The individual's body becomes more fluid, his limbs and entire torso covered in iridescent blue scales with yellow stripes. He is 10 cm taller and has a longer, rather pointed nose. As an added bonus, two small blades protrude from his forearms.

_ Ayden: “ He's unclassifiable! ”

A shiver of fear runs through us as we observe a marine chimera with a humanoid body and animal-like appearance.

_ Person 3: “ I am Memba, the leader. And your journey ends here. ”