Chapter 63 - Battle (3)

Turning back toward the gunner, I observe Maïko emerging gradually from the tree trunk a few meters behind him. His two arms are positioned, acting as levers to pull out his head, and then the upper part of his body. While the Recluse continues his monologue concerning his domination and his supposed grandeur, Maïko's lower body appears, with the utmost discretion.

Every orphan observes with tension and stress their comrade getting involved in a very dangerous action without any possibility of support. At the climax of his Source's recharge, the gunner, back turned to his adversary, is about to unleash hell. Immediately, Maïko reacted. Watching for a vulnerability in her opponent, she darted forward, her heart pounding, her gaze fixed on her target.

The sounds of footsteps break her enemy's concentration, just late enough to allow Maïko to plant the dagger in their back. A muffled scream rings out. Despite the pain and solid on his stance, with a backhand strike, he hits Maïko directly in the face, projecting her to the end of the branch.

_ Recluse: “ Arghh, dirty little wh*re, you will see!! “

_ All the orphans: “ Maïko!! “

The enemy gallops towards him, the orphan still pinned down. Drawing a small dagger concealed in his pocket, the Recluse, just a few steps away, prepares to deliver the fatal blow. Suddenly, a firm grip on his left leg cuts him short, making him slightly lose his balance.

_ Recluse: “ What exactly did I stumble upon?? “

The attention focused on two hands emerging from the branch and grasping her leg benefits Maïko. She frees one of her hands, springs up in one fluid movement, grabs the nearby dagger, and plunges it in a fatal blow into her enemy's head. Distraught, the Recluse falls, a dagger plunged into his skull, life slowly draining away. However, in the momentum of the attack, Maïko also loses her balance and falls from the branch.

_ Son : " MAÏKO!! "

_ Ayden : " Hazel! "

Well-positioned, I hurry to its point of impact, ready to receive it. Hazel coordinates my movement by activating her Mud Source beneath my feet, acting as a shock absorber. The inertia of the latter, comprising the full weight of her body, carries me away without surprise. We are confined in the mud without any real damage. As a result, the whole group moves closer.

_ Son: " Anything broken?? "

_ Ayden: " I'm fine, apart from the fact that she's smothering me. "

_ Maïko: " Ah... Sorry... And thank you. "

Hazel and Son help us get back up while the group of twins arrives.

_ Kona: “ What on earth possessed you to do that?? ” she said, looking worriedly at Maïko.

_ Maïko: “ … ”

_ Kona: “ That was super dangerous! Imagine if things had gone wrong! ”

_ Ayden: " I admit the action was bold, but I have to say it paid off, Kona. "

_ Hazel: " He's right. Without his intervention, the situation could have been dramatic. "

Exasperated, a sigh escaped her, as she took her head in her hands.

_ Kona: “ Ahhh, I swear, there's not one good one among them! “

_ Blaike: “ I see that you are all unharmed. “

Suddenly interrupted, Blaike, still wounded in the arm, and Rider are walking in our direction, looking like they have finished their respective battles.

_ Ayden: " We are more tenacious than you think. "

_ Blaike: " Hm. "

Meanwhile, another discussion starts.

_ Shailly: " Thank you all for protecting me. "

_ Kona: " Of course, it's only natural. "

_ Son: " Hehe. " he said proudly, his two hands resting behind his head

_ Shailly: " You were amazing! I wish I could have participated. "

Reacting to this argument, the twin stared at Shailly, her eyebrows furrowed, her arms crossed.

_ Shailly: " I'm just kidding, I'm just kidding, haha. "

Then, she looks at her best friend, the smile dissipated.

_ Shailly: " Are you okay? You've looked thoughtful ever since. "

_ Son: " Definitely, usually you're always barking. "

_ Maïko : " You know... I've seen deaths with my own eyes since our journey began. At first, it was shocking... but I got used to it. Except now... I've just killed a person with my own hands... and honestly... this feeling is strange. " she said, troubled, staring at her two hands, lightly stained with mud and blood.

His words resonate like a bell in a cloister, plunging everyone into deep reflection.

_ Shailly: " During my confrontation with Pico, just like you, I was determined to get my hands dirty. And today, I am convinced it was the best choice. If I had hesitated, it could have been fatal… "

_ Ayden: " If you plan on avenging Chief Moana someday, you'll have to get used to it, Maïko. In this environment, it's very simple: it's kill or be killed. "

_ Kona: " Easy for you to say, you're not in his shoes. "

Connecting my gaze with the twin sister's, I step forward, my face expressionless.

_ Ayden: " Oh, believe me, without his intervention, I would have buried him with my own hands. "

Reflecting an unwavering conviction in my gaze, Kona dares not say anything and lets it go. Under Blaike's scrutinizing eye, he pivots on himself, the horizon in his sights.

_ Blaike: " This racket could raise suspicions in the surroundings. Let's leave the area quickly. "

_ Ayden: " Okay. "