"What?"
"Say the rest when you get back," Earl repeated.
"..."
The Simmons father let go of my Ma as he picked up Alana from Bless. My sister had a complicated look on her face. It was in those monts that Earl showed himself to be a man.
Not the kind of man who was boastful or overbearing.
But the kind of man that everyone could count on. He was the rock that everyone knew would know what to do. And with his guidance, the household could weather any storm.
As soone who knew the unspoken words between n, Earl's silence told more than words ever could. Instead of reassuring , he simply told to co back.
It was simple, it was concise, but the weight and trust in it was more than heavy. In plain words, it ant one thing.
'Co back. This is an order. No matter what the odds. And bring my daughters with you.'
"I understand," I replied curtly.
"Appleboo, what about the girls? Will they join this battle? I know they are strong, but it is too dangerous!"
Earl then placed his hand on my adoptive mother's cheek.
"El, you know how much our son loves them. You also know how devoted they are. If John says they are fighting with him. It ans they all agreed to it."
"But..."
"El."
"...."
Wordlessly, my Ma nodded. Then she ran over and hugged . From the strength she exerted, I felt how difficult this was for her.
"Co back with all of them, dipshit. I'll beat you to next Sunday if you don't, you hear?"
Chuckling at how cute Noelle was, I gave her an affectionate hug. My fingers brushed over the blood splatters on her clothes. Maybe it was like everyone had told . This war was both the beginning and the end for .
"Roger that, Ma," I replied.
Noelle let go quickly, tears streaming down her cheeks. Bless bit her lip as she whispered.
"Protect them all." Enjoy exclusive content from mvl
I nodded and answered. "With my life."
Satisfied with my answer, she added.
"Don't die."
As Ma and Bless left. Earl and I exchanged nods. Knowing that the guard detail ant sothing, my adoptive father didn't ask and just took Alana to her room.
The outco of what happened surprised . Even after I showed them that I was no longer human, my family showed neither disgust nor fear.
Everything they did reinforced the fact that to the Simmons, I was John Smith first and foremost.
Not a reaper or a monster. I was their son and brother.
And it was that sa family that ordered to co back.
I clenched my jaw in frustration.
My decision hurt my family. But instead of just walking away, I felt I had to tell them. I an, I could believe in my victory with all my heart, but just because I did, it did not an it would co true.
If everyone believed they would never get shot, body armor would never have been invented. Despite the good that optimists do for the world, it was the pessimists who allowed the world to survive intact.
The assumption that everything would be fine was a recipe for disaster. No one who thought that way should be given power or authority. It was both stupidity and immaturity not to prepare for the worst.
Steeling my will, I left the house and walked out the front door. I could see the 2nd Andnt and Vincent glaring at each other. Despite being alone, the bald gangster still had a smile on his face while everyone else looked at him warily.
The mont they noticed , they all stood at attention, waiting for my orders.
'These people are acting more and more like the military. I wonder who is forcing them to do this?'
I turned to Vincent and asked for an update.
"Vincent, did you do what I asked?"
He then held out a heavy looking hard case. Its size made it look like he was leaving the country for two weeks.
"I have my lord, I apologize for only being able to get a few. But I have 10 units of both items you requested."
I blinked my left eye to activate {Imaging} - X-Ray. Jasmine's {Program} [Filter] was both intuitive and discreet. I scanned the luggage and saw the items I had requested.
I nodded to indicate my satisfaction.
"The Deryck family has also begun relocating the families on the list Mr. Phillip sent. We have designated this house as our ground zero. We are in the process of purchasing all the surrounding properties."
"Will there be enough room?" I asked.
"My Lord, by tomorrow we will have the funds to create a residential complex for you. Please leave it to ."
"Good."
I then faced 2nd Andnt as I had ordered.
"If I do not return tomorrow. Please protect my family as long as you can."
They all bowed their heads as Joshua replied.
"We vow to do so as long as Hellsend exists, my lord."
"Thank you," I said curtly.
As I finished what I had set out to do, I looked around the area one last ti. I could see the facade of my old house with [Eagle Eye]. If I failed, this would be the last ti I would be able to see this place.
I looked at the night sky one last ti, and then at my adoptive family's house. Using {Imaging} X-ray, I saw them all hugging each other in tears. Ma, Alana, and Bless were all crying in Earl's arms.
When I saw them, my heart ached. I could have just walked away without telling them. I had died before, so it was not like it was the first ti. But maybe a part of wanted to see their reaction.
What would they ask? What would they say? My own weakness drove to tell them everything. All so I could see how they would react. I burdened them with the knowledge that this might be the last ti they saw .
And true enough, their reactions showed how much they loved . Wordlessly, I turned and imagined the dispatch office. The familiar pull on my soul ant I was about to enter Hellsgate.
The wait was frustratingly long. Fear, anxiety and uneasiness made restless. Now. This would finally co to a close.
After tonight, I would no longer have to worry about the Saviors. For they would have died under my hands or I would have died in theirs.
"MY LORD! MAY YOUR FATE END THE DARKNESS! HAIL LIMITLESS! HAIL!"
I turned to see everyone saluting . I saluted in return and disappeared in a blaze of light. The ti for words was over. It was now the ti for lead, fire, and steel.
***
Landing in the reception area, I stood and walked to the dispatch office. Perhaps finally accustod to imitating a pancake, my body shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling I got as I walked.
As I did so, I noticed that the people around grew quiet. Even though there were dozens of people. None of them said anything.
'It's not like I ever gave a damn,' I comnted to myself.
Before I could enter the dispatch office, I saw Phillip talking to soone outside. The fact that all the souls in my sensing area were being sucked by this motherfucker ant only one thing.
"SON-IN-LAW! You have finally arrived!"
The Revenant of North Arica grinned broadly as he waved his hand in greeting.
"David... What the fuck are you doing here?"
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