Although the gacity was in the exact sa place it had always been since it was created, the landscape on the way there was completely different from what Uriel rembered. At first sight it seed like it was covered with snow, but it didn't take long for Uriel to figure out it was actually ash that ca from the many ongoing fires inside the gacity.
Even if the revenants disappeared and the titan level cryptid retreated, that didn't an the city would magically be restored.
Now that most of the citizens evacuated the gacity, there were no governnt agents to conduct the repairs, coordinate putting out the fires or even rescuing people.
But that didn't an the place was deserted, in fact, as soon as they crossed what used to be the west gate they were greeted by the sight of a few corpses hanging from hunter grade alloy wire, each with a wooden sign in their chests reading the ssage: 'Murderer'
"I like what they've done with the place." Luna said, though because of her inexpressive face Uriel failed to confirm if she was joking or not.
They made their way across the empty streets knowing they were being observed, but both of them pretended to be clueless and simply continued on their way minding their own business amidst half dismantled cars and debris. The place looked like nothing but a warzone, though it was eerily silent.
"I guess you can say this is truly a lost city now." Luna said trying to make conversation.
"Not really, I an... I bet there's a few cryptids, but I doubt they're responsible for killing those people and hanging their corpses." Uriel said under his breath as he hurried his steps.
From the mont they set foot inside the gacity, they had been followed by hunters and they did not know what they intentions were. The only thing they had to go by were the corpses they saw at the entrance which didn't bode well to them.
It wasn't until they reached the front of the forr Cryptid hunting agency that the hunters who followed them finally showed their faces.
"What business do you have here?" A male hunter on his forties asked. Judging by his appearance alone it was obvious he was at most an ascended, but the look on his face showed the signs of a very experienced hunter.
"We're here on official business on behalf of the army. May I speak with the one in charge?" Uriel lifted his arms showing he was unard. The hunter took a long ti observing Uriel, his posture and deanor showed he was also a hunter, but it was impossible for him to determine his rank or trait.
"I don't buy it, he's not even wearing an uniform..." One of the hunters said as he tightened the grip on his rifle. It was a tense mont, one that seemingly lasted for ages until the leader finally spoke again.
"It's not common for hunters to co back here unless they want to scavenge, is that what you're here for?" The strongest looking hunter asked with a no nonsense tone.
"Not really, we're tracking a hunting party that ca here to reclaim the synthetic food factory in the slums."
"Sage!?" The man asked out loud as a smile ford on his face and Uriel's eyes widened as he thought the man recognized him, only to be left disappointed when the hunter continued speaking. "I t miss Sage a couple days ago. She and her party were supposed to co back yesterday, but we lost all contact with them. Are you here as reinforcents?"
"You could say that..." Uriel replied before the man jumped in to hug him.
"We didn't think the army would actually send soone! We were so worried for Miss Sage." The man cried loudly as Uriel struggled to shake him off without hurting him.
"What's the situation?" Uriel asked as soon as the man let go of him.
"Right into action! Just the kind of hunter I like!" The man patted Uriel in the back and then proceeded to introduce himself as Bear, which made sense giving his bulky and unkempt appearance. After that, Bear led them inside the forr Cryptid hunting agency where the independent hunters that decided to stay back resided.
Uriel wasn't shocked when he learned that Bear wasn't actually the leader of the independent hunters that remained in the city, but since the leader was currently absent it fell upon his shoulders to explain the situation.
"Most of the civilians vacated the city, but a lot of hunters decided to stay back to loot... err... I an, scavenge," Bear corrected himself after realizing his blunder, then continued. "At first it was difficult since it seed that there were many different factions attacking each other, but then we realized that most of the violent events were actually caused by skinwalkers stirring things up."
"Makes sense, they prefer to feed on people killed by their own companions." Luna nodded.
"Such a cute girl your daughter is." Bear smiled and handed Luna a lollipop candy which triggered flashes of the bulky man being shred to pieces by the tiny huntress on Uriel's mind, though in reality she graciously accepted the treat.
"I'm actually his girlfriend." She replied, probably enjoying the sweet flavor of the candy.
"As I was saying, we managed to reduce our casualties to a minimum by establishing a zero violence policy on the streets. If we catch soone causing trouble..."
"Can you skip to the part of what happened to my friends?" Flustered by Luna's blatant lie, Uriel tapped his foot on the floor with a bit too much force causing the table in front of him to tremble.
"I don't know, they were supposed to be in and out... but I can't say I'm surprised. It's not like we haven't tried to loot... scavenge the synthetic food factory before."
"I see, can you take us there?"
"I can't, we already called soone whose husband used to work at the synthetic food factory by the east district."
"Sage!" As soon as she walked in, Marina leapt towards Uriel and kissed him on the cheek, sothing Luna didn't seem to appreciate and imdiately took a dislike to her.
"Hey, Marina, it's been a while, huh..." Uriel replied trying to put so distance between them. It was the second ti soone jumped on him that day and he could already feel the pressure building up inside Luna who was very protective of him.
"Co on, don't act like a stranger... you already saw naked." She jokingly prodded Uriel who couldn't help but blush.
"It's not like that, Luna, I can explain... wait, why am I even bothering with..." Uriel started defending himself only to realize there was no point in doing that since, in spite of her claims, Luna wasn't actually his girlfriend.
"Your past relationships don't concern ." Luna said, though contrary to her disinterested words, her dislike for Marina only grew stronger, sothing that went completely over Marina's head.
"Is this your girlfriend? She's... really young." Marina said trying not to sound judgental, but she failed miserably.
"She's not my girlfriend! Can we just... let's just focus on the mission, okay?" Uriel grunted.
"Right, so... I don't have any issues taking you there like I did with the other guys... by the way, when I t your sister..."
"She's not my sister..."
"Focus on the mission." Luna scolded.
"Fine." Uriel gave up and listened quietly to Marina.
"The thing is, we can't really go inside. When your sister... I an, when the other Sage went inside, the tall woman said we shouldn't approach the building until they cleared it. So far, they haven't exited or given any sign of life. I tried to warn them it's not safe to go inside, but they didn't listen to ."
"Are there cryptids inside?" Uriel asked once Marina finished speaking.
"I can't say for sure, but you must rember there were cryptids dwelling inside the water treatnt plant and it should be safe to assu it would be the sa with the food factory. My husband, may he rest in peace, once ntioned to that they had to stop production for a safety breach in the plant... sothing about soone breaking protocol, but that's all I know."
"Interesting..." Luna muttered to herself.
"What is?" Uriel asked.
"Rember that story I wanted to tell you? Uhm... the one you didn't want to listen."
"No, please... don't say it." Uriel buried his face on his hands, already sensing what Luna was about to say.
"It was about the synthetic food factory," Luna began speaking. "Many years ago, before the arrival, there were many fast food chains all over the world. In order to make production more efficient, they genetically manipulated the cattle until they barely even resembled the rest of their species.
The 'enhanced' version of those animals were always hungry which allowed them to grow at a faster rate, hence producing more at and I believe..." Luna's explanation had the attention of everyone in the room, but Uriel's.
"Don't say it..."
"They're cryptids..."
"You had to say it, didn't you."
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