Nina and Kyouka crouched behind a crumbling wall on the outskirts of what looked like a run down building.
The air was thick with dust and the distant rumble of engines. Several won in military uniforms patrolled the area, rifles slung over their shoulders, vehicles kicking up gravel as they scanned the area. Their eyes were sharp, movents precise like predators on high alert.
Nina squinted through the haze, her hand resting on the hilt of her greatsword strapped to her back. "Those must be from the Norbata army," she muttered, her voice low. "Look at their formation. This area's under governnt control now. We're getting deeper into their territory it seems."
Kyouka, her eyes narrowed, nodded slightly. She clutched her staff tighter, her knuckles white
"Are you sure we should keep going? If we head in that direction, we'll hit the heart of Norbata's remnants. With all these soldiers popping up, it's like walking into a lion's den." Nina looked at Kyouka, her expression serious.
"Are you sure Ren is in that direction? Because if my guess is right, proceeding ans dealing with the full might of the governnt. Those patrols aren't just for show—they're frequent, organized. We might not slip through unnoticed."
Kyouka closed her eyes for a mont, as if tuning into so invisible frequency. Her face hardened with determination. "I'm a hundred percent sure. He's there. And look at those weapons they're carrying...they look like normal rifles even so custom rifles we've never seen before. It's not the standard Norbata gear. These won have been doing their howork. They know the traitors aren't fully gone. Hell, they're probably already clashing that's why they have this special guns to deal with non-power holders."
Nina glanced back at the patrols, noting the variety of firearms. "You're right. Those aren't just for monsters. They're prepped for human threats too. Infighting must be rampant."
Kyouka's gaze darkened. "That's the least of my worries right now." Her mind flashed to Ren, captured and helpless. She imagined that faceless woman doing unspeakable things to him.
Torturing him, breaking him...raping him. Her fists clenched in anger, nails digging into her palms. "We can't waste ti. Every second he's with her..."
They continued spying from afar, hidden in the shadows of ruined buildings. The patrols moved thodically, vehicles humming like watchful beasts. Nina's hand instinctively went to her greatsword again, senses on edge. But it was too late.
A soft click echoed behind them. Two fingers shaped like guns, charged with so kind of an energy pressed against the backs of their heads. A woman stood there, her smile cold and confident. "What do we got here? Spies? Or just lost souls?"
Nina froze, raising her hands slowly. "We surrender. No need for violence."
Before Nina could even turn, Kyouka reacted on instinct. She channeled her energy, activating her simple domain—a bubble of force field that shimred around her. She spun, ready to strike the woman down.
But a sharp crack rang out. A bullet whizzed past, grazing the building next to Kyouka's head, shattering bricks. The woman's finger-gun reford, pointing directly at Kyouka's face. "Next ti, it won't miss. Stand down."
Nina whipped around, her eyes widening in recognition. "First your mother, now you. Did she tell you we t?"
The woman young, with sharp features and a uniform adorned with Norbata insignia tilted her head. "Mother ntioned a great hunter nad Nina who'd gone crazy enough to betray the nation. She said you'd be trouble. Looks like she was right. Co on, let's go see General Kazami. Don't you won have a lot to catch up on?"
Kyouka's eyes narrowed as realization hit. This was Kazami's daughter. The infamous general's offspring, rumored to be as ruthless as her mother.
They were cuffed with special restraints that nullified powers, then marched to a waiting jeep.
The vehicle was rugged, armored against monster attacks, with mounted guns on top. Soldiers eyed them warily as they were shoved into the back. Kasi, the daughter, sat across from them, her posture relaxed but alert.
As the jeep rumbled into the city or what was build to imitate the city, Nina and Kyouka looked around.
Makeshift tents dotted the streets, people huddled around fires, sharing ager rations. Barricades of scrap tal and concrete blocked off sections, and ard won patrolled every corner. It was chaos organized into survival.
Nina broke the silence, leaning forward slightly. "I'm sorry, what was your na again?"
The girl t her gaze evenly. "You can call Kasi."
Nina nodded, glancing out at the desolate scene. "So, this is what beca of the great nation of Norbata? This looks more like a refugee camp than a city. Tents everywhere, people scavenging... it's heartbreaking."
Kasi shrugged, her smile fading into a grim line. "You're not wrong. In a way, it is a refugee camp. Norbata was gone the day the dungeons started leaking out. Monsters pouring through, devouring everything. We lost cities overnight. This? This is us clinging to our last hope that humanity can survive in this goddess-forsaken land."
Kyouka, who had been silent, looked surprised. She expected denial, propaganda about Norbata's glory. But Kasi spoke with raw honesty. "You... you're not even pretending it's still a nation?"
Kasi chuckled bitterly. "Pretending won't kill the beasts or seal the dungeons. We've got survivors from all over forr citizens, wanderers, even so traitors who switched sides when things got bad. We're holding the line, but it's threadbare."
Nina pressed on, curiosity piqued. "So, what's the plan? Are things just going to drag on like this until a massive monster horde rolls in and massacres everyone? Or has your mother found sothing a way to make this land livable again?"
Kasi leaned back, crossing her arms. "You should discuss that with her, not . I'm just the muscle. But yeah, Mother's got ideas. Always has. She's rallying what's left of the army, scouting for safe zones, even negotiating with stupid fucking leaders inside safe zones. Risky, but better than waiting to die."
The jeep bounced over potholes, weaving through the camp. Kyouka stared out the window, her senses tingling. People bartered for food, children played in the dirt under watchful eyes, soldiers drilled in open squares. But sothing felt off. A chill ran down her spine, like icy fingers tracing her neck.
Suddenly, fear gripped her. She whipped her head around, scanning the crowds from the jeep. Her body tensed, heart pounding.
Nina noticed imdiately. "What's wrong? Kyouka what happened?."
Kyouka closed her eyes, focusing. "That woman... she's watching us. She knows we're here."
Nina's eyes widened. "No way. We just got here. How could she...are you talking about that bitch"
Kyouka's hands shook in her cuffs, her voice trembling with rare fear. "That woman is not soone we should let have Ren. She's... she's everywhere. I can feel her gaze, like needles in my skin. We have to get to him fast."
Kasi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What woman? You two talking in code or sothing? If there's a threat, spill it. We don't need more enemies sneaking in."
Nina shot Kyouka a warning glance, then turned to Kasi. "It's nothing. Just old paranoia from the road. We've been hunted by... many shadows, you could say."
Kasi didn't buy it, but she let it slide. "Shadows, huh? Looks like you girls hit your heads pretty bad. Better watch your backs."
***
Ren stood in the long, snaking line outside the massive gates of New Norbata.
Dust kicked up under hundreds of boots. Refugees, rchants, and desperate people shuffled forward under the watchful eyes of armored military patrols. The afternoon sun beat down rcilessly, turning the air thick and stale.
He blinked, staring at his own hands gripping them hard.
"How the fuck did I end up here?" he muttered under his breath, voice low and rough. "I was in the forest… then the shack… then that damn pull started dragging like a dog on a leash."
His feet had moved without his permission for days. One step after another, south toward this city, toward whatever invisible strings were yanking at his chest. He'd tried to turn back twice and find that damn god.
Both tis his body refused, legs locking, muscles burning until he gave in and kept walking.
Now he was here, just another face in the queue, while soldiers in uniforms barked orders.
"Keep moving! Papers ready! No powers inside the walls without registration!"
Ren's eyes narrowed as he watched them. One soldier, a broad-shouldered woman with a scar across her cheek shoved an old woman back into line when she stumbled. Another pair checked a rchant's wagon, rifles raised. The crowd murmured uneasily.
His body shifted forward automatically when the line moved. He hadn't told it to.
"Tch. Stop that," he growled at himself, trying to plant his feet. They took another step anyway.
The ache in his chest pulsed harder the closer he got to the gates. That warm, urgent tug like hooks under his ribs. Heartsteal. Those percentages burning in his vision. All of them marked IN DANGER.
"Whoever's here seeking … fuck," he whispered, jaw tight. "Which one of you crazy won dragged into this shithole city?"
He scanned the crowd, the guards, the walls. Nothing stood out. Just sweat, fear, and impatience.
Then it happened.
Two military won in fitted uniforms broke from the checkpoint. Both tall, both moving with sharp purpose. One had short silver hair and captain's bars; the other, dark braids and a sergeant's stripe. Their eyes locked on him instantly, as if they'd been waiting.
"There! That's a man!" the captain shouted, voice cutting through the noise. "Man! Step forward!"
The crowd parted like water. Heads turned. Whispers rippled.
Ren froze, but his body didn't. His legs stepped out of line on their own, calm and obedient.
"What the hell—" he started, but the sergeant was already beside him, gripping his arm with iron fingers.
"Move. Quietly," she hissed, guiding him away from the line toward a side gate.
The captain flanked his other side. People stared as he was marched past the main entrance, into a shadowed alley between two guard towers.
Ren's mind scread. His mouth stayed shut until they were out of sight.
As they walked, he muttered through clenched teeth, "I want my freedom. I want to be a free man. Not so puppet dancing for curses and obsessed won."
The captain glanced at him, eyebrow raised. "A crazy man? Well crazy or not... his dick is the most valuable thing."
Ren heard those words and realized that the outco of wherever he was going right now would not be good, but he couldn't help walking forward.
Reviews
All reviews (0)