The stranger carefully laid Edowado on the ground inside the ruined research centre, where a woman with fair skin and jade-coloured eyes leaned against the cracked wall.
Her once pristine clothes were now torn and stained with blood, evidence of the fierce battle she had endured. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she cradled a small girl with chestnut brown hair in her lap, tenderly stroking her head.
Azune, battered and wounded herself, looked down at her unconscious son, her heart heavy with both relief and sorrow. Tracing her finger along the dry red marking on his cheek, she observed the scars, bruises, and blood that marred his fragile form.
A tear escaped her eye, and she quickly blinked it away before lifting her gaze to meet Samuel, the stranger who had returned with Edowado.
"I apologize. I wasn't able to grab the eldest one"
Samuel, his silver hair sweeping to the side, leaned back against the cracked walls, rubbing his newly bandaged right arm.
"Don't worry about it. I am truly grateful to you and Richard for protecting Aki."
"He was very determined to not let anything harm her"
"And I'm also grateful to you for saving Edowado and the dangerous thing within him. Thank you for coming back"
His cheeks flushed slightly as he locked eyes with Azune, a mixture of gratitude and unease in her expression.
"I owe you for what you did. It's just one of the two favours you granted me that has been repaid. But what is this 'dangerous' thing within him?"
"I'm not entirely too sure either but I know whatever it is, it is within him and dangerous. I wish I could explain more but there just isn't enough time. You must take Edowado and Aki far away from here as soon as possible"
Confusion furrowed Samuel's brow as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the situation. "Huh? Wait, hold on."
But Azune pressed on, her voice filled with urgency and a tinge of desperation. "Please, let what I'm about to ask be the very last thing I ever request of you. Go as far away as you can and look after Ed and Aki for me."
Samuel's bewilderment was evident as he tried to grasp the implications of her plea. He couldn't fathom leaving Azune behind, alone and injured. "What about you? You want me to run off without you?"
Azune's words held a hint of sorrow.
"Yes, I want you to. I'm too weak and injured to escape with them. By now, the soldiers have most likely captured all the villagers and taken down our fighters. You'll need a distraction to draw their attention away from you."
Unsettled by the plan, Samuel suggested sacrificing himself instead. "Then let me do that instead. I'll throw myself in and draw as many soldiers as I can."
"Then let me do that instead. I'll throw myself in and draw as many soldiers as I can."
Azune shook her head, her voice tinged with sadness. "Don't be silly, Samuel. Once they get a good look at you, they'll recognize you instantly and won't hesitate to kill you."
"But…"
Azune looked into Samuel's eyes, a mix of determination and vulnerability shining through her gaze. She paused for a moment; her words carefully chosen.
"Please, Samuel, I'm not asking you to become a father to them," she began, her voice filled with earnestness. "Only a sort of guardian, like you were to me. Just like you used to do, be there for them"
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Samuel, and he struggled with his conflicting emotions. Azune's pleading gaze, reminiscent of their shared past, touched his heart. With a heavy sigh, he finally relented, rising to his feet.
"Alright, I'll do it but how am I gonna get out of here carrying the two of them?"
"Who said anything about having to carry the two of them?"
"What other way did you have in mind then?"
"Lucky for us, I fixed your motorcycle and even added some upgrades of my own. I've already called it, so it should be here any minute now. You're welcome," Azune revealed, a hint of pride in her voice as she shared her tinkering accomplishments.
"But if the bike comes here on autopilot, won't that alone attract the soldiers?" Samuel questioned; concern etched on his face.
"Yes it will and that is why I'll go out first to cause chaos to draw their minds away from the bike and onto me. That should give you enough time to get Edowado and Aki safely onto the bike and away from here."
Samuel couldn't help but feel the weight of the task that lay before him. Escaping wouldn't be easy, given the heavily guarded paths and the soldiers blocking the village's entrances. However, he remembered the strange aura he had sensed around the forest entrance, the absence of monsters near the crashed ship.
"Escaping won't be that easy, Azune. I scoped out the area before I found the boy. The soldiers had already blocked off and heavily guarded the paths leading in and out of the village, as well as the edges of the village bordering the trees where the monsters came out of," Samuel explained, a hint of concern in his voice.
Azune nodded, her expression serious. "What about the main entrance to the forest, where you and the scout team passed?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
"The forest entrance is where their ship has been since it crashed, but there aren't actually as many soldiers there. Maybe it's because no monsters came from the actual entrance," Samuel replied, his mind still grappling with the mysteries of the situation.
He couldn't shake off the eerie feeling that had enveloped the area, a feeling that something much darker and sinister lurked nearby.
"So, then our best chance would be through the forest's entrance?"
"Yes, it's our best bet. Even if we manage to break through the army of soldiers blocking the main entry point to the village, the straight road ahead would leave us vulnerable to long-range attacks. But in the forest, we can utilize its twists, turns, and obstacles to make it harder for them to track us."
Samuel mulled over his words, contemplating the risks and benefits of each option. The forest seemed daunting, filled with unknown dangers and potential adversaries. However, the alternative—a direct confrontation with the soldiers—seemed even more perilous.
(It'll be difficult to ride a bike there though and even more so with passengers on board) Samuel thought to himself.
"Not to worry. I forgot to mention but I also installed one last feature which should make riding easier for you. You'll easily spot the button to activate it when you get on"
Samuel's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. "Really? What does it do?"
"You can try it for yourself when you're ready to"
"Also, there's a secret pathway once you enter into the mid-section of the forest," Azune explained, her voice hushed. "It branches off from the normal forest path and leads to a hidden safe zone that connects to the main road. You won't have to worry about encountering monsters. Just look for a large boulder with lots of Mako plants growing around it."
Samuel's surprise mingled with scepticism. "How did you even know about this secret pathway?"
Azune smiled mysteriously but didn't offer an explanation. Instead, a low rumble resonated from outside the building they were hiding in. "There's my cue to get busy; the bike's arrived," she said.
The small child, Aki, who had been quietly listening in on the conversation, clung tightly to Azune's thigh, her chestnut brown hair framing her fearful face. "M-mom? I don't wanna go out there again," she whispered.
Azune knelt down, her gentle smile comforting the young girl. She caressed Aki's head, her touch soothing. "I know it's scary out there, Aki. I know you're scared," she said softly.
She embraced Aki, her arms providing warmth and reassurance. "But you're so brave, Aki. You didn't cry, you didn't scream. You didn't let your fears stop you from chasing after your sister," Azune continued, her voice filled with pride.
A single tear escaped Azune's eye, trailing down her cheek and onto Aki's face. Aki looked up at her mother, fear slowly transforming into something stronger. Her eyes sparkled, reflecting her mother's love and determination.
"I'm still s-scared, but I can be brave one more time. I'll be brave for you and big brother," Aki declared, a small smile blossoming on her face.
Azune's smile softened, and she embraced Aki once more, cherishing the precious moment. "Be nice to Samuel and look after your brother. He's going to need you," she whispered.
"Aki promises to," the young girl replied with determination.
Azune released her hold on Aki, standing up and using a scabbard as a makeshift support. She wiped the dust off her clothes, her resolve renewed. She approached Samuel and collected the plain steel sword he had extended towards her.
"You won't do anything too reckless this time, right?" Samuel asked, his concern evident.
Azune chuckled. "Hi-hi. Look at me. When have I never done anything reckless?"
"I shouldn't have asked," Samuel muttered, a mix of exasperation and fondness in his voice.
"I'll draw as far away as I can and when you hear the third explosion, make your way to the bike and zip away"
"Alright…wait, explosion?"
Without waiting for further conversation, Azune walked out of the building, turning to wave a final goodbye to Aki, who returned the gesture with a brave smile. But as soon as Azune stepped outside into the darkness, her smile faded, replaced by a focused determination.
She turned towards the motorcycle parked to her right, its engine emitting a low rumbling sound. In the distance, multiple faint lights moved up and down. They were coming.
Samuel's earlier warning echoed in her mind—the soldiers had been attracted to the motorcycle and were closing in to investigate. Without hesitation, Azune retrieved three small red orbs from a hidden pocket of her tattered outfit.
"I love you two very much. Stay safe until we all meet up again," she whispered, holding the orbs tightly in her hand.
Taking a deep breath, Azune steeled herself for what lay ahead.
"Chip function…."
She activated the chip function of the orbs, causing them to emit a faint glow. The orbs hummed with power, ready to fulfil their purpose. Then, with unwavering determination, she set off towards the approaching lights.
With a swift motion, Azune threw the orbs in different directions, sending them flying into the night sky. As the orbs reached their peak, they exploded in a dazzling display of light and sound. The ground shook beneath her feet as debris scattered, creating a chaotic scene.
The soldiers, startled by the sudden explosion and disoriented by the blinding lights, redirected their attention away from Samuel and the children. Azune took advantage of the confusion and swiftly moved in the opposite direction, disappearing into the shadows.
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Meanwhile, Samuel heard the first explosion and felt the vibrations through the ground. He knelt down, carefully lifting Edowado's still unconscious body onto his shoulder once more. The second explosion followed, causing dust to rain down from the already dilapidated ceiling of the building they were hiding in.
Turning to Akisor, who stood behind him with fear in her eyes, Samuel stretched out his bandaged arm, gesturing for her to come closer. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, but his determination shone through.
"Please, take hold of my hand, Akisor. Let me help you and your brother," he said, his voice filled with reassurance.
Akisor hesitated for a moment, but seeing Samuel's kind and caring gaze, she mustered the courage to reach out and take his outstretched hand. A small smile formed on her face, a glimmer of hope in the midst of chaos.
Boom! The third explosion reverberated through the air, serving as their signal to make their escape.
"Let's go!"
Samuel swiftly turned towards the door and pulled Akisor along, with Edowado still slung over his shoulder. They stepped out into the night, the scattered lights from the fallen monsters casting an otherworldly glow upon their path.
As Samuel surveyed the area, ensuring there were no remaining soldiers or lurking monsters, he guided Akisor and Edowado towards the waiting black motorcycle. The engine roared to life as Samuel took his place, helping Aki sit in front of him. Edowado was carefully positioned behind Samuel, ensuring his safety.
With the night sky enveloping them, the landscape transformed into a surreal sight. The faint lights scattered across the ground, emanating from the shards of defeated monsters, created an ethereal glow. It was as if a celestial spectacle had descended upon the village, with stars taking refuge in the earthly realm.
With a steady grip on the handlebars, Samuel revved the engine, causing a digital windscreen to light up with various indicators and gauges. The motorcycle hummed with power, ready to carry them to safety.
"Okay, hold on tight," Samuel instructed
Akisor tightened her grip on the seat, holding onto Samuel as they prepared to embark on their daring escape. With a swift kick, the motorcycle shot forward, leaving behind the smoke and sparks that Azune had created.
-----------------------------------------------
On the opposite side of the northern sector of the village, far from where Azune was heading and in the direction of Samuel and the others, a big black ship stood rooted to the ground. It was surrounded by a small group of men clad in blue and white military uniforms, with one man distinguished by his attire in blue and black.
Lieutenant General Hendrixson, standing tall and rigid, crossed his arms over his chest as he listened to the reports on his soldiers' progress. Though he appeared focused on the updates, his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere, occasionally shifting his gaze toward the forest entrance.
One of the officers relayed the successful securing of the village's borders and the capture of fleeing civilians, emphasizing that the soldiers had held back when faced with resistance from the village fighters. The officer also mentioned that the repairs on the ship were nearly complete, with a 98% progress, and they would be ready to take off once the captives were loaded and the return command was given.
Hendrixson nodded, acknowledging the information, but his attention was caught when the officer mentioned some captives with serious man-made injuries despite the soldiers' claims of not harming anyone. He murmured a name to himself, "Drex," though his words were carried away by the wind.
The officer continued, explaining that they had tracked down the stolen data to a sort of research station on the other side of the village. She revealed that they had discovered a signal amplifier, which not only revealed the exact location of the stolen data but also pinpointed the positions of the weapons responsible for the ship's crash. Handing over a small black box to Hendrixson, she confirmed it as the amplifier they had found.
"They weren't smart enough to know it'd be what would lead to their crushing defeat. We found it on two men who were trying to stop us from accessing the data."
"Where are these men now?"
Hendrixson held the black box in his hand, studying it intently. The officer informed him that they had found it in the possession of two men who had tried to stop them from accessing the data.
"We're bringing them to you now sir. Hurry up with them!"
A male soldier stepped forward, accompanied by two men with their hands clasped behind their backs. As they were pushed to the ground in front of Hendrixson, it became evident that one of them was significantly younger, dressed formally in black trousers and a waistcoat, while the older man wore plain brown vest and matching trousers. It was an unusual pairing: Ryoko and Rio.
Both men bore the signs of a severe beating, with Ryoko's bruised and swollen face, his cracked glasses lens revealing the extent of the assault. Hendrixson approached Ryoko, pointing the black box at him, demanding to know why they had used it to attack them.
Coughing weakly, Rio replied, "I... don't know what that shit is! Who...are...you people?"
"Rio, don't push yourself!" Ryoko cautioned, his voice strained. It looked like he was still feeling the after effects of losing in a fight. He swayed uneasily on his knees, unable to keep his gaze fixed on anything for long.
Ryoko reached out toward Rio, but the male officer restrained him. Frustration welled up inside Ryoko, but he understood the futility of resisting in their current predicament. His gaze shifted from Rio to the distant figure of Hendrixson, who seemed uninterested.
Hendrixson, uninterested in Rio's questioning, stepped back and shifted his attention to the silent captive.
Raising his head, Ryoko's piercing gaze locked onto the commanding officer before him. The dim light cast a shadow over his face, obscuring his features, but Ryoko's discerning eyes caught sight of an emblem, carefully strapped to the side of the officer's arm just below the shoulder.
"!! I know…who—"
Recognition flickered in Ryoko's eyes, though his expression remained impassive.
"Lieutenant General Hendrixson!"
Just as the atmosphere grew more tense, a soldier wearing a helmet rushed up to Hendrixson, saluting as he delivered urgent news.
Reports had come in of a driverless motorcycle racing through the northeast side of the village and an uncaptured brown-haired woman in a white overcoat causing trouble in the southern parts.
"Azune?!"
Ryoko unintentionally murmured the name, his slip of the tongue overshadowed by the soldier's report. Hendrixson, however, heard clearly, his gaze piercing into Ryoko's being.
"The woman is obviously acting as a decoy for someone or some group of people"
"So, we should stop focusing on her and redirect our efforts to finding the bike?"
"No, she could be more troublesome than expected and sending more soldiers after the bike would alert them of our awareness. Let the soldiers already chasing after the woman and looking for the bike continue but all other soldiers should remain guarding their positions."
"But that will leave only this area…"
"Exactly. It's most likely whoever gets on that bike has probably scoped out the area and figured out here has the least security thus affirming my suspicion that someone was hiding nearby. They'll try to escape through here and we'll patiently wait; I have a little surprise for them as well"
"Alright then Lieutenant General sir, your instructions will be carried out accordingly"
The soldier acknowledged Hendrixson's orders and departed, leaving the lieutenant general alone with Ryoko and the remaining soldiers. Hendrixson gazed down at Ryoko, his expression a mix of arrogance and anticipation.
"It seems like some friends of yours are trying to act smart," he remarked, his voice laced with smug confidence. "An utterly futile and tiresome act, won't you say?"
"..."
"I expected so"
Ryoko remained silent, his eyes fixed on the ground. Hendrixson's attention, however, was drawn back to the forest's gate, his narrowed eyes betraying a sense of scrutiny aimed at some sort of invisible force that lay hidden within.
-------------------------------------------
On the other side of the Northern sector of the village, a trio embarked on a treacherous journey through the war-ravaged streets of Akimota. They moved with haste, manoeuvring through the rubble and dodging the relentless long-range attacks from the pursuing soldiers.
"Kidnapper!" a voice rang out, filled with fear and anger
"Please, stop" another voice pleaded, tinged with desperation
"Edowado!!" a third voice cried out in fear of being thrown off the bike
The trio consisted of Samuel, a reluctant protector, who skilfully navigated the motorcycle, his every move a testament to his determination to keep them safe. Edowado, gripped by both terror and mistrust, clung tightly to Samuel's neck, torn between the instinct to escape and the hesitation to trust their saviour. Akisor, Edowado's resolute sister, attempted to calm her brother amidst the chaos that surrounded them.
The motorcycle tipped dangerously to its right side as Samuel tried his best to evade a beam of light shot at his left.
Edowado's voice trembled with the weight of his past as he declared, "Aki, we can't trust him!"
"Aki, we can't trust him!"
Who could blame him? His trauma, stemming from being forcefully separated from his defenceless sister and subjected to unimaginable pain, clouded his judgment.
"Edo, Samuel's only trying to help—!"
Before she could finish, the motorcycle swerved sharply, narrowly avoiding a pile of rubble. Samuel's swift reflexes kept them on course, his left foot propelling the bike through the turn. Akisor struggled to maintain composure, her voice strained yet determined.
"Samuel?! You know his name?!"
"Yes! Mom asked him to take care of you and me"
"Take care of us?! Where is she?!"
"It's not important right now! We have to escape first!" Samuel interjected; his focus fixed on their immediate safety.
"Escape Wha—?!"
As they raced through the dimly lit streets, a familiar buzzing sound echoed in Edowado's ears, reminiscent of the wall defence they encountered before entering the Northern sector of the village. His gaze shot upwards, and there, descending from a rooftop, a dark figure brandished two rods crackling with purple and black flashes of electricity.
Sensing the imminent threat, Samuel's instincts kicked in. He scanned the motorcycle's dashboard, searching for a feature that Azune, their mother, had mentioned but that he hadn't paid much attention to. His eyes landed on a greyed-out button beneath the speedometer, adorned with a shield icon.
"Akisor, please push that shield button beneath the speed dial!" Samuel urgently instructed.
Perplexed but trusting in Samuel's judgment, Akisor quickly complied. Just as the menacing rods drew near, a light blue hexagonal dome materialized, forming a protective barrier between Edowado and the impending danger. Sparks of lightning crackled against the shield, harmlessly bouncing off and even rebounding onto the soldier who crashed into it, incapacitating himself.
The impact caused the motorcycle to tilt, but this time, Samuel maintained control. Edowado, his hands now free from gripping Samuel's neck, leaned back into the seat, his hands holding onto the bike for support, pondering the revelation.
"Mom…asked him to take care of us?" Edowado's voice carried a mixture of wonder and vulnerability. His right eye twitched slightly, a residual effect from the pain he had endured, as he absentmindedly traced a dried red line running down his cheek.
"Apologies for knocking you out. I'm not asking you to trust me, just to cooperate until we can escape. Then, I'll explain everything," Samuel spoke earnestly, his eyes focused on the road ahead.
Edowado, unable to see Samuel's face, scratched his right eye, hoping the discomfort was due to dirt rather than a recurrence of his previous experiences.
Slowing down the bike, Samuel maintained a cautious demeanour as he scanned their surroundings. Akisor, sensing the abrupt silence that had settled after their chaotic pursuit, voiced her curiosity.
"Where did all the bad men go?" she asked, her innocent voice breaking the tense atmosphere.
In front of them, a long, narrow stretch of rugged terrain lay scattered with broken rocks and gravel. It led to the opening which led to the entrance of the forest, their intended destination. However, as if answering Akisor's question, a group of soldiers had strategically positioned themselves, blocking their way.
"Crap. They knew we were headed there" Samuel muttered to himself; his voice filled with concern.
As the footsteps of the pursuing soldiers closed in behind them, Samuel realized there was no turning back. Their path ahead was now blocked, and they needed a solution.
Akisor's voice trembled as she turned to Samuel, seeking guidance. "Um... S-Samuel? What now?"
Samuel surveyed their surroundings, his eyes landing on a large wooden board weakly attached to a nearly broken wooden bar on the side of a crumbling building atop a pile of rubble. An idea began to form in his mind.
"Hm, well, that's surprisingly convenient"
An idea floods into his head as he studied the weak bar still stubbornly holding onto the wooden sign post a few meters before the soldiers ahead.
"Kid, have you ever used a pistol before?"
"Huh? N-no."
"You're gonna learn how today"
"I'm gonna learn what now?!"
With a swift motion, Samuel unhitched one of his uniquely designed pistols from his waist and handed it to Edowado. He turned back, gripping the handlebars of the motorcycle firmly.
"Insert the grip of the gun into the webbing between your thumb and index finger, and curl your middle, ring, and pinkie fingers around the grip just below the trigger guard," Samuel instructed, his voice calm and composed.
Edowado fiddled awkwardly with the gun, but he followed Samuel's instructions, positioning the grip between his fingers and curling the rest around it.
"Place your other hand beneath the handgun to support your dominant hand so that the recoil won't throw you off," Samuel continued, his voice steady
"Um…ok" Edowado replied hesitantly, trying his best to mimic Samuel's instructions.
Edowado fiddles weirdly with the gun but then does as Samuel instructed, placing the end of the gun into the space between his two fingers and curling the remaining around the gun.
"Then all you have to do is aim and fire at that wooden bar holding onto the sign. Don't make any weird poses with your shoulders and keep both your eyes open. Just lift the gun up to your dominant eye. I've set the gun so it should easily break the wood upon impact."
"W-wait, the last part's a bit too fast," Edowado stammered, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden instructions.
"They're already here," Samuel interrupted, a sense of urgency in his voice.
The soldiers from behind closed in, their footsteps growing louder. Samuel flicked his wrist, causing the engine of the motorcycle to roar back to life.
"The two of you should hold on"
"O-ok"
With a rev of the engine, Samuel placed his right foot on the ground, causing the rear tire of the bike to spin vigorously, creating a cloud of dust and smoke behind them. The smoke would provide cover for Edowado to aim without disturbance.
Once he was satisfied with the smoke screen, Samuel kicked his feet off the ground, allowing the built-up momentum to propel them forward.
"Kid, get ready to take the shot"
"Already?!" Edowado exclaimed, his nerves heightening.
In the midst of the chaos, Edowado heard a familiar voice—a voice that had haunted him during his previous torment. Fear washed over him, but this time, the pain in his eye was not as intense.
'System Function Applicable'
'Call To Activate'
"Huh?!" he muttered to himself, bewildered by the unexpected intrusion of the voice that only he could hear.
"Edowado!" Samuel's voice broke through the confusion, urging the boy to take the shot. Time was running out. But Edowado couldn't hear Samuel or Akisor. He was solely focused on the strange voice that spoke only to him, drawing him in like a moth to a flame.
"Call to system?"
'System Call?'
"System…call?" Edowado repeated, still grappling with the unfamiliar concept.
"Edowado!" Samuel called out once more, his concern growing.
"Edowado?!"
Growing more concerned by the second, Akisor turned her attention to her brother. What she saw left her bewildered and alarmed. Edowado stood motionless, his grip on the cyber pistol unyielding, aimed upward.
But it wasn't the weapon that caught her eye—it was his right eye, which had undergone a startling transformation. A deep blue hue now engulfed his iris, captivating and ethereal, with intricate circles, numbers, and cryptic symbols swirling and rotating within.
"Why is your eye blue?!" Akisor blurted out, her voice a mix of astonishment and worry.
Edowado didn't hear the questioning shouts of Akisor or the calls of Samuel. He was solely focused on the strange voice that only he could hear. Drawn in like a moth to a flame.
'System Called. System Functions Available'
'Host Biological Structure Scanned and Ready'
'Biological Structure Enhancements Available…Vision'
"Bio Structure Enhancement?? Vision??"
'Enhance Biological Structure?'
"Enhance biological structure?"
'Waiting for Structure Input…'
"Umm…vision?"
The right eye of Edowado twitched uncontrollably, a peculiar sensation coursing through him. Yet, there was no pain, only an uncomfortable and unfamiliar feeling that left him unsettled.
As if responding to some invisible force, the enigmatic circles, numbers, and characters that had previously emerged within his eye came to an abrupt halt. They remained stationary, suspended in a mesmerizing display.
His right eye lid shut close but quickly shot up again revealing his strange blue eye but without the numbers only the strange characters.
The strange characters were no longer rotating about the circles but several of them had appeared in the centre of his eye stretching from both ends continuously changing their shape and appearance until they transformed into two understandable words.
Enhanced Vision
"Edowado!"
"Edowado, shoot now!" Samuel's voice brought him back to the urgency of their situation.
The strange voice had disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared and the boy had regained focus once again now hearing the panicked shouts of his sister and Samuel.
He looked down at the gun in his hands and noticed that everything seemed peculiar.
He took a moment to take in his surroundings, the world seeming sharper and more vivid than ever before. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing hidden details and nuances.
But before he could fully comprehend the changes, he looked up, locking his enhanced vision onto the weak wooden bar, Edowado spotted two incomplete lambent circles, one smaller and inscribed within a larger one. In the centre of the smaller circle, a red-glowing crosshair appeared—a neoteric sight, advanced and precise.
"Edowado?!"
Samuel called out to the boy one more time, a cold sweat running down the side of his face. If the boy didn't take the shot he'd have to risk running straight into the barricade ahead of them.
With newfound confidence and a touch of trepidation, Edowado adjusted his grip on the pistol, aligning the sights with the luminous crosshair. His enhanced vision allowed him to perceive even the minutest details, the precision of his aim becoming almost instinctual.
Edowado levelled the gun at the wooden bar until its front and rear sights were aligned with the glowing crosshair. The lambent red crosshair shrank in size the moment the barrel of the gun was properly aligned with it and then,
His finger curled around the trigger, and with a thunderous roar, a beam of pulsating purple and black energy erupted from the pistol's muzzle. The concentrated force tore through the weakened wooden bar, reducing it to a flurry of splinters and fragments.
His arms jerked upwards due to the recoil but he'd been able to maintain his balance since he listened to Samuel's advice and held the firearm properly.
"I did it!"
The wooden board which was being held up by the bar fell to the ground, landing on top of the pile of rubble beneath it forming a sort of makeshift ramp. Just like Samuel had wanted.
He deftly maneuvered the bike over the wooden ramp and high up into the air. The bike soared through the air, suspended for a brief moment in the exhilarating freedom of flight.
The soldiers, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, remained frozen in disbelief, their aggressive intentions momentarily halted by shock. As the rear soldiers prepared their long-range attacks, their actions were futile against the rapidly unfolding escape.
"Whoaaaaaa!!"
"Hang on."
With a skilled hand, Samuel tapped the newly appeared red button on the glowing windscreen. The symbol of wings emblazoned upon it seemed to hint at the bike's hidden capabilities.
Instantly, the bike responded, its tires glowing a deep, vibrant purple as they rotated to the side, aligning parallel to the ground. A soft bluish-purple haze emanated from beneath the turned tires, and the thunderous roar of the engine transformed into a steady, humming sound.
In an instant, the bike seamlessly transitioned into a hover bike, defying gravity as it hovered above the heads of the bewildered soldiers. It dropped dangerously close to the ground but never made contact, swiftly ascending a few feet above it once more. The sight was nothing short of breath-taking, an awe-inspiring display of technology and ingenuity.
Edowado and Akisor couldn't contain their excitement, their voices blending together in exuberant shouts. The thrill of the hover bike's flight surged through their veins, filling them with an exhilaration they had never experienced before.
"That…was…Awesome!!" Edowado exclaimed, his eyes heterochromatic eyes wide with wonder
"Absolutely incredible!" Akisor added, her voice tinged with admiration.
"So, this is how you intended for us to make it through the forest" Samuel whispered to himself. "You still do think of everything"
The hover bike carried them swiftly away from the soldiers and closer to the open expanse of the forest. Their daring escape was nearing its safe conclusion, and the anticipation of freedom filled the air.
If only they know who or what lay ahead just beyond the boundaries of their current struggle.