Chapter 35: The Invasion of Kunasha

Chapter 35: The Invasion of Kunasha

Present Day. Somewhere on a dirt road.

A strange elongated vehicle drives through a dirt road. The front points out like it has a nose, and its metal frame is red throughout. It’s much taller and longer than a semi-truck. Standing atop the vehicle are the nine poachers and a group of soldiers, including a tall muscular one wearing a black metal mask that covers everything but his eyes. His sleeveless gray uniform shows off his thick, muscular arms as he stands with arms crossed and a commanding presence.

Strongest Warrior of the Hawk Clan — Gorge.

“We’re close,” Gorge states with a deep serious tone.

Grode walks over to Gorge with an intrigued smile. “So, mister elite Hawk Clan soldier guy, just how strong are you?”

Gorge ignores him and continues to stare into the distance, eyes focused.

Grode tilts his head, eyeing him with confusion. “You don’t look like the most talkative of people but it’s pretty rude to just ignore a guy, you know.”

“Let it go!” Tazer demands sternly. “If you piss him off, he’s probably going to stuff you in a body bag.”

One of Gorge’s eyes finally turns to focus on Grode.

“You want to know how powerful I am?” he asks in his deep serious tone. “Powerful enough to crumble all of you at once.”

“Well, sheesh,” Grode gasps. “If you’re that strong, why does the Hawk Clan need to hire us?”

Gorge continues to eye him, staying silent for a few moments before answering in his usual tone, “My expertise is killing, not capturing.”

“Grode, I suggest you stop asking him questions,” Edgar says.

Raider walks over to Grode, wrapping his arm around his shoulder with a sly smile. “Just focus on the money, Grode. Think about it. We’re going to get paid with a ton of cold. Hard. Cash.”

Sen steps forward, smoking a cigar, and approaches Gorge. “I admit, I’m interested to know how I stack up against the Hawk Clan’s strongest warrior,” he says before blowing out a puff of smoke. “Indulge me.”

With no warning, he tries to punch Gorge, who easily stops it by grabbing his fist mid-punch. He throws another punch with his other hand, and it too is stopped with ease. Finally, he swings his leg horizontally for a kick, but Gorge easily blocks it with his knee.

Gorge’s eyes narrow. “Are you finished yet?” he says with a cold glare before hitting Sen with an uppercut, followed by thrusting his palm into Sen’s gut, knocking him on his back, cigar popping out as he coughs up some blood.

Still coldly glaring, Gorge says, “Save your energy for the mission. Being cocky is a good way to get yourself killed.” He glares even harder as he says, “And for the record, I held back just now. You would be dead if I had hit you with my full power.”

Alga walks over to Sen to help him up “You really need to think sometimes. Why did you think that was a good idea?”

Coughing, Sen says, “Damn, I guess he really does live up to his reputation.”

“Yeah, so be smarter next time,” Easia mocks.

Shotsteed rubs his chin with an intrigued smile. “I hope I get the chance to watch him crack some skulls.”

“Okay, everyone, focus on the mission!” Naysha yells, fed up with the distractions.

Gorge stares ahead, uttering in a deep serious tone, “I’m glad there is someone among your group that is serious.”

***

Back at Zeth’s parents’ house.

“Zeth, it means that you are not actually a part of the Eagle Clan,” Miranda says. “I’m sorry. One can marry in but one can’t be adopted in.”

“It’s alright…” Zeth replies, sad but not distraught. “For the last few days, I sort of had this feeling that this would be the last time I’d come here as someone who lives here.”

“That doesn’t mean you are not allowed to come visit here,” Jack cheerfully says. “You are adopted, but we still care about you.”

“That’s right,” Miranda affirms. “Come here any time that you like.”

“Thank you,” Zeth mumbles, smiling while a tear drops from his eye.

Suddenly, they hear the sound of an explosion coming from the city, alerting them all.

“What was that?!” Jack shouts.

Kurt looks out a window, widening his eyes as he shouts, “There was an explosion in the city! There’s smoke coming from it!”

“What!?” Jack gasps as he rushes toward the front door. The others join him running outside where they see another explosion coming from the city.

“What is going on!!?” Zeth screams before turning toward his parents. “Listen, Mom, Dad, I don’t like this so please stay back and let us investigate.”

“Okay,” Miranda replies. “But please be careful.”

Zeth nods. “You got it.”

The five heroes rush toward the explosion site, where they find a destroyed building, craters from the blasts, and even dead bodies.

“Who could have done this!?” Sasha asks in shock.

Looking ahead, they then see a strange red vehicle up ahead. The vehicle has a cannon coming out of the front end where part of the metal plating has opened.

“It looks like we found our culprits,” Zeth says, anger underlying his voice.

On the vehicle, Tazer thrusts his right arm forward, yelling, “We have their attention now! Spread out and capture as many people as you can!”

Gorge and his soldiers jump off the vehicle first.

“We will hold off their forces,” Gorge states. “Get moving!”

Eagle Clan soldiers rush into the impact area, ready to defend their home city.

“Invaders!” a high-ranking soldier shouts. “Attack!”

The heroes watch as the soldiers rush in, but they notice the poachers jumping off to the sides of the vehicle to avoid the battle.

“Wait, what are those guys doing?” Zeth wonders. “I don’t like this. Let’s leave this battle to the soldiers. Let’s spread out and stop those other guys!”

The other heroes nod and do as he says. He runs around the side of a building, through a narrow alley, and then out into an open area with large gaps between buildings, where he spots Raider and Grode roughing up civilians.

“Hey! Leave those people alone!” Zeth yells.

“Eh?” Raider mutters. “It looks like someone else is volunteering to go first.”

Grode pounds his fists together, grinning with anticipation. “Poor fella, doesn’t know who he is dealing with.”

“Two against one, huh? Fine with me,” Zeth says with confidence.

“You won’t be fine when we pound you into the ground,” Grode declares.

“Yes, say goodbye to your life as you know it,” Raider says, also grinning.

Zeth finds himself in a battle with two poachers! Can he overcome the odds of two-versus-one and win?

Chapter 35 END

To be Continued in Chapter 36: Zeth vs Raider and Grode – An Elevating Battle!