Arc 3 - Chapter 11: Meet The Pacithiests

(Libertatem 29, 59 / 7:35AM)

Luke felt his eyes quiver, as he settled them on two new strangers. Their arms folded beneath their chests, it was to make themselves more imposing than they already are.

Miles and Hope didn’t take defensive stances, as they knew that it would draw even more attention. Having their palms facing outward, they knew talking with words would be a much better solution. Except for Luna, who gripped a metal baton with her left hand.

“Looks like you can’t handle it brother. Want us to back you up?”

‘Brother? Are they related?’ thought Miles.

Taking two steps forward, Miles had his shoulder brushing against Luke. Without hunching his head down, he whispered loudly, but not too loudly for anyone to hear.

“Luke? Any ideas?”

“If we fight, we’re only going to bring in so much unwanted attention. Fighting isn’t even a last resort at this rate, so …”

—What can I do?

Raising his right hand up to his left eye, he put enough pressure to see lines and shapes within the darkness. Waves flowing and vibrating, the darkness he saw was the darkness he thought in.

If avoiding a fight was his main goal, at this moment, how could he deter their anger? Their frustration?

Slowly bringing his hand down to his side, he had it hovered near his thigh. Stationed, numb throughout his fingers, he placed his eyes on Christian.

“Me and you both know what’s best. Fighting isn’t necessary, but I have a solution.”

Luke turned his eyes toward the teen duo, who looked like they were ready to pounce. Feeling his hands shiver, and feeling his knuckles quake, he gulped down saliva before walking toward them.

Letting out a wry smile, sweat coated his skin as he stood a few meters away from them. Placing his feet together, he then arched his body 90 degrees … making the Clastine bow he was taught from an early age.

“Any frustrations you have, you could pin them on me. Any kick, punch, headbutt; you could take one strike.”

Everyone widened their eyes.

Hope was unable to speak, as her eyes quivered at the suddenness of his demand. Same as her, Miles too felt like something was lodged in his throat, with his fingers all too twitchy and shaky.

Luna meanwhile hardened both her fists, and stomped her way toward Luke. Not too long, she immediately jabbed her tightened nails into his shoulder.

“Don’t you dare do that!”

“Sorry Luna, but it’s for the best. Someone has to take the blame…”

But in that instant, she only tightened her grip on his shoulder, allowing his muscles to strain. Feeling like something was stabbing him, he hissed through closed lips, while he quickly turned toward her.

Having his body hunched forward, he had let go of his Clastine bow.

“Luna let go!”

“No! You better think before you say!”

“Ow ow ow! Just this once, I’m ordering you to stop!”

“Don’t you think ordering me would stop me! You know I hate it when you get—”

Something grabbed her ankle.

Looking down at her boot, she noticed a hand wrapping against the leather. Having ginger-hair, most of his cheeks and nose were tattered in blood, as bits of rock glued to his skin.

“You’d think I’m some wrecking ball? Is that what you think of me?”

“Sean … I didn’t say—”

“Do you know how much I cared for this group!”

Luna pulled back her boot, leaving Sean to slam his right hand onto the pavement. Having crumbles of stone and rock lodge into his nails, he strained his gums from the strain.

As he glared at Luke, his eyes burdened red. Not from rage, not from frustration … but from the puffy state that his scleras were in.

“Day in, day out, night in, night out; I’ve trained like hell ever since I was a teen. I knew how to shoot, I knew how to fight, I knew how to harden my skills as a soldier. And yet one mistake … just one … why blame me for everything!?”

Luke could only soften his face at his plea, an attempt to make him feel pity. But that didn’t mean it failed. Feeling like his heart might break, he averted his eyes away from his face, and pinned them against the sidewalk.

“So please … please please … I want to continue where I left off …”

Luna pulled her boot in, making Sean let go of her ankle. His right hand still extended, his fingers only gobbled against the sidewalk he laid.

Everyone awaited Luke's orders, their eyes all too pinned on the young man. Feeling their stares, even the strangers buried their gazes deep into the bottom of his heart.

“I … well …”

“Wait, so we’re not fighting?”

“Didn’t I tell you boy that we came here for nuthing!”

Grabbing his ear, the old teen Pacifica pinched her fingers deep into it. Closing his left eye shut, he tapped the side of her hand repeatedly. Scratching the back of his head, Luke softened his eyes on Sean once more, while ignoring the sibling fight in back of him.

“We forgot to tell you this … but uhm … we’re not as liked as before…”

—“No way…”—

A group of five men stood in the center of the street, their eyes peeled towards Luke and the others.

Their breaths out of place, some of them closed their eyes, as their hands pressed onto their chests. Being in front of them, Jack swept away sweat from his forehead.

“That really is Sean. Shit! It is him!”

“Jack! You guys followed us!?”

“No, but Boris ordered us to go after you! He said that you would run into someone, but I never thought it would be Sean!”

—So Boris knew that we’d meet him…

The heat already trapping them, all of their bodies sweltered in the oven-like morning wind. Their throats parched, water was beginning to feel like a luxury to them.

With Sean still laid motionless on the sidewalk, Luna had already released him long ago. Luke, being the mediator in all of this, extended his hand out not with a smile, but a casual face.

“I’m giving you one last chance. Don’t you dare try to touch Hope like that. Ever.”

“You’d think I’d do that on purpose? Like I said, I ain’t some piece of shit.”

“You better live up to your word.”

“Not to deter the conversation but uh … who are these guys?” Questioned Stan.

The strangers they laid witness to, looked to have similar attire but different colors and fabric. All three having tan skin, he knew the man with the cowlick was their leader.

He already guessed that they were siblings, judging from their somewhat fat noses. Not noticeable, but it was there, Stan soon returned his attention to Luke.

“Are these Sean’s friends?”

“Yeah. Sean works under them. Hey Christian?”

Scratching the back of his head, he twirled his body 180. Despite the desert heat sweltering his body, Luke tried his best to keep his posture straight.

“Do you want us to take Sean back? It’s up to you.”

“By all means. To be honest, he kind of did things on his own. Not exactly a team player.”

Chris and Pacifica analyzed the five men.

The teenage boy looked at the foreigners with sparkled eyes, as their clothes sparked great interest. But for Pacifica, all she did was allow a sly smirk to shine her face.

“My oh my, what do we have here~”

“Uh … hello.” Said Stan, who found Pacifica’s gaze all too cheery.

“Almost forgot to tell you all, but her types are elves. Elves who are six feet tall.”

‘Wait … I’m over six feet! And me and Stan are elves!’ thought Sean.

From the other end of the street, a luxury car began to appear in the distance. Its headlights shining brightly, it didn’t take long before the automobile eventually parked alongside the curb.

Stepping out from the passenger side door, was a man wearing a cowboy hat. Adjusting it for everyone to see, he closed the door softly, before walking toward the rest of the group. And with the driver being a man wearing a fedora, he had a suit, as his hands gripped the leather wheel casually.

“Luke? What happened here?”

David’s hands were within his pockets, as he strolled all the way toward Luke. As everyone had their eyes on him, Luke himself took a step back.

“We caught Sean, but uh …”

“Was there a fight?”

“No. Well almost…”

“Then take it easy. This scenario is better than anything. Take it with grace, rather than regret.”

Seeing that they all had no injuries, except for Sean, David pushed his eyes onto the trio of siblings.

All of their jaws dropped at the mere sight of him, with Christian, Pacifica, and Chris straightening their backs. Being the leader, Christian pounded his chest twice, and thumped his chest twice with a balled fist.

“Drakos sir! It’s an honor to meet you!”

“Drop the sir. David is what I liked to be called.”

“Yes sir—I mean David! I-I’m a little surprised, that’s all. I heard all about you, about your war stories and tales.”

“And you’re not the only fanboy to say that.”

David glanced at his surroundings. His eyes narrowed, the wind only worsened from the heat, allowing a bead of sweat to trickle his temple. Strands of his hair sticking to his forehead, he then nudged his head toward Luke.

“Come. Boris and I will lead you the way.”

“But we parked the van near some gas station.”

“Didn’t you forget about Benn?”

It wasn’t even a couple of seconds, before the sound of scraping rubber screeched the air.

Gulping saliva down his throat, Jack clenched his hands repeatedly as he stared at the van. As a vein splurged from his right temple, his nose wrinkled the more he heard rubber scream.

“He’s driving it wrong! The rubber isn’t supposed to be abused!”

“Shut up Jack.”

Stopping to a screeching halt, the van parked alongside the curb. Not wanting to make his presence known, he made his attire hidden from the others; mostly from the three strangers. Seeing that the van was ready, Luke waved his hand to get everyone’s attention.

“Alright everyone! Let’s head out while we can!”

‘About time. I’ve started to hate this freaking heat.’ thought Miles.

Everyone nodded, and even the trio of siblings acknowledged the signal. Being the first to reach the back doors, Luke pushed in the code for the keypad, with the doors unshedding a simple click.

The doors opened wide, and an exhale brushed out of his nostrils. Checking out eight seats, four on the right and four on the left, he then glanced in back of him.

“So there’s one, two … six … twelve of us. Looks like the three of us are sitting on the floor.”

“Hey, how hard can sitting on the floor be?” Said Sean.

“Yeah. And a moving one too.” Said Jack.

Luke, Jack, and Sean entered inside the van, and noticed a pile of suitcases littering the floor. But then Luke laid eyes on a large cabinet. Reaching four feet tall, its dark oak wood mesmerized in the rays, and it looked to be filled with things.

Furrowing his brow, Luke rubbed the back of his head.

“Why did you guys buy that?”

“By what?” Questioned Fred.

“That cabinet.”

“Oh, we’re using it to store our snacks. Why? Is there a problem?” Questioned Gary.

“No uh … nothing … it’s okay I guess.”

Stan and his group found themselves on the right side, right where they usually sit. The suitcases grazing the tips of their sneakers, they allowed their tailbones to be cushioned against the hardened rubber.

As Hope hopped into the middle seat, which was between driver and passenger, Christian took both of his hands out from his pockets.

“I could navigate you guys to—”

“I’ll be passenger. We could follow Boris pretty easily.”

“But who will—-”

“Like I said. Our driver could tail him fine. I’ll explain later…” Muttered Miles.

Christian gave him a simple nod, before raising his hands in a form of surrender. Making his way toward the back, he and his siblings found seats on the left side of the van.

Being the last one to enter, Luna placed herself near the trio of strangers. Sitting right next to Pacifica, she only frowned as her stomach growled.

“Damn. Looks like Boris and David are off to a head start.”

A trail of dust smoothened the asphalt, leaving Hope, Miles, and Benn to squint far. Being the driver, Benn didn’t glance at the two of them, as he pulled back the joystick into—

“Hold onto something.”

Fifth gear.

Slamming his foot on the gas, rubber burnt from on top of the asphalt.

Everyone in the back whipped from the motion, as they barely held onto anything. Gripping the seats, the walls, the van accelerated even faster. But for Luke, Sean, and Jack … who sat on the floor…

They flew straight into the pair of back doors. Feeling the metallic wall sore their backs, all of their eyes squealed under the strain of muscle tear.

“Ah! Are you trying to kill us here!?” Exclaimed Jack.

“Oh you’ll be fine!” Yelled Luna.

“H-Hey Benn! Can you tone down the speed, just a bit?!” Yelled Luke.

“You heard him! Stop driving like you’re in a freaking race!”

“Oh come on!”

Driving like a maniac, Benn jerked the wheel back and forth between turns. Hearing rubber scream, and hearing the engine roar to the max, the RPMs reached red in some parts. Feeling like they were in a drag race, everyone in the back felt rocking motion…

Which left a couple of people to pale their faces. Puffing up their cheeks, some of them held back the contents of their …

“I think I’m going to be sick…” Said Diego.

“Me too…” Said Fred.

“Shit, migraine…” Uttered Gary.

‘Why the hell is he in such a hurry?’ thought Stan.

Making one last turn, Benn caught whiff of the car Boris drove in. Having his heavy foot stuck on the gas, he squinted his eyes into the large hill coming up in the distance.

—Oh no…

Hitting the max speed, the RPMs hit higher than 7. Hearing the engine roar, the van itself began to tilt at an angle. Suitcases and belongings sliding down, most of them brushed against Luke, Sean, and Jack.

Until they all heard the creaking of a wooden cabinet; one filled with snacks.

Sooner rather than later, it succumbed to gravity. Because they were right in the center, and with the cabinet sliding down…

‘‘‘Oh shit…’’’

All three of them screamed, as the wooden cabinet toppled on top of them.

________________________________________________________________________

(Libertatem 29, 59 / 7:55AM)

The van finally parked.

Sitting right on top of concrete, the engine finally settled down after a long haul of roaring. Out from the passenger door, came out Miles and Hope, who made their way toward the back doors. Their boots clicking against the red pavement, it was a unique color, as they were used to white.

Once they reached the keypad, Miles began pushing in the code. Hearing the doors click, he took a step back.

“Gah!”

Three men fell to the ground, all stacked on top of each other. Groaning, groggy, the scene could be pulled straight out of a cartoon … once the cabinet rushed after them. Crushing them onto the pavement, no groan emerged from their throats.

Luke poked his head out. As everyone got out, some of them laughed or chuckled at the hilarious display of cartoonery. Luckily for the three of them, Luna was there to set the cabinet straight. Dragging him out of the ground, Luke found his boots to settle the pavement.

“T-Thank you Luna … it means a lot.”

“It was nothing.”

“Hey what about us?”

Both Jack and Sean still laid on the ground. Folding her arms, she scoffed at Jack with a frown.

“Do it yourself.”

“Oh come on!”

“You jerk! You know we could—”

“Shut up and get up!”

Barely getting up from the ground, the three of them had their knees buckled with strained bodies. But nevertheless, they and everyone else laid eyes at the entrance.

The walls were shrouded in white, with two columns supporting the front porch roof. With many pentagroup saguaros lining up the sidewalk, they reached the height of Luke’s waist. As they all walked, the desert sun loosened its grip once they reached a small part of shade.

Looking like the adobe was two stories tall, Luke noticed that its design looked oddly familiar. With Christian leading the group, he was the one to open the door.

—Woah…

Once they all stepped in, Christian and his siblings were the only ones to not take in the scenery. Seeing a living room nestled in couches, and a bunch of antiques and grandfather clocks, it looked straight out of a vintage store. Along with many radios, all tuned to different channels … it was their way of hearing TV.

“You guys have a lot of radios.”

“That’s how we get our news. We use our ears, rather than our eyes to take in info.” Said Christian.

“Not even Kepputha was this old. At least we had black and white TVs.” Said Miles.

“Ticia had color TV.” Said Luna.

“What the hell is a TV?” Questioned Pacifica.

Luke and Luna were raised in Ticia, where technology was ranked the highest. With Kepputha being second, it still held up in terms of innovation. But being in another different country; the laws, the tech …

—We’re going backwards in time…

They heard footsteps, which made them turn to the right.

Walking through a small hallway, was a man with long spiked hair. His hair shaded white, wrinkles weren’t that well prevalent within his face, making him look somewhat young.

Near both of his shoulders, two women walked alongside him.

“I suppose you all are tired from your journey.”

To his right shoulder, was a woman with dark purple hair. Having double lids like everyone else, her face wrinkled at the sight of their sluggish eyes.

The man stopped a few meters in front of them, making Luke take in his eyes. He had monolids, similar to the woman to his left shoulder, who wore glasses and a ponytail.

“My name is Kenji, Kenji Sumiko. You are all familiar with my daughter, Jennifer Sumiko, I presume?”