(Reverence 2, 59 / 8:01AM)

Two days later.

A high-pitched croak lit up the morning air.

Like a pencil scraping away a piece of black chalkboard, the morning sound of a blue-beaked chicken managed to reach everyone’s ears in the thick morning. Since the walls of the adobe aren’t that thick, sound from room to room and the outside was passable even without the need for placing one’s ear along the wall.

Waking up, Luke jolted upward, his right eye still being covered by his right side bang with the morning sun shining down its lighting rays. Looking out from the window, Luke squinted at the landscape of the garden, seeing the purple pedals littering the grass.

(Luke) For some reason, this view seems more carefree than the one from Lagefor.

Around his room, not much was there to be decorated, as he was given just a wooden drawer, a vintage metal alarm clock, and an oval mirror to see his reflection. A small antique radio the size of a lunchbox, caused Luke to look over toward the desk that was stacked with papers.

(Luke) But I kind of miss the black and white TVs up in Lagefor…

Two knocks were dealt from the other end of the amber-colored door, causing Luke to look over toward it. His eyes already forming crusted eye boogers, Luke let out a sigh as he slowly got up from bed.

Letting his bare feet feel the cold yet lukewarm wood, he let out a small yawn as he placed his right hand to cover his breath. Reaching the door, he opened it to see a ginger-haired elf with just a tanktop and …

White boxers.

(Luke) I hate it when you don’t put on sweatpants or shorts.

(Sean) Nothing wrong with letting myself be free.

(Luke) Luna will say otherwise.

(Sean) Yeah yeah, anyway I want to talk to you about something.

Luke casually looked at Sean with an emotionless face, as not even a smile or frown was formed. As for Sean, he pointed his thumb to the back of him, the direction being the room that’s in front of Luke’s room.

Pushing down his face, he let out a shrug, pushing his shoulders up and down.

(Luke) Alright.

(Sean) First, I need to bring everyone out too.

(Luke) Good luck with that.

Many moments later.

Inside the ginger-haired elf’s room was none other than the entirety of The Dark Angels, combined with Stan’s group as well.

Stan and his group just wore a typical plain white shirt and black shorts, along with their hair ruffled in all directions. His group standing near the door that was their only exit and entrance, Stan had his back against the door while the other three leaned against the wall.

The rest of the Dark Angels all sat down on either Sean’s well-kept bed or the unlittered floor, with Luna already fuming as she had her head down and her butt on the floor. Luke sat on the edge of the bed to the right of Sean, as the ginger elf sat in the middle with Jack to the left of him.

Hope also joined Luna in sitting down on the ground. As for Miles, he sat on the right side of the bed that faced Stan’s group.

While Benn sat in a corner away from everybody.

(Sean) Alright, so tell me the cheese. Did you guys have to escape with your tails tucked between your legs back at the courthouse?

Sean turned his head to the right, looking at Luke with his right lip curling upward to create a devilish grin.

Luke clasped both of his hands together, feeling the barely awake eyes that dawned on him from every direction. Tapping his right heel up and down in an arithmetic pattern, he fiddled with his thumbs while looking down on the neatly cleaned wooden floor.

(Luke) We had no choice. We were about to be sent to The Dome, but I guess my luck really stuck out to me.

(Jack) Wasn’t it Boris the one that set off those charges? Without him, we would be all sent to that prison.

(Luke) But still. He chose the right time to free us.

Sean used his left hand to rub back and forth his jawline, having his pointer finger and thumb graze against his pale skin. Getting out a bit of dead skin, Sean swiped it away all the while looking toward the shy Luke, his body seemingly getting closer to him.

Which caused Luna to look up, making a scrunched-up face as she had her palms keeping her elbows straight.

(Sean) Either way, you’re criminals now. You’re on the run because of some dickhead politician, so what will you do?

(Luke) We can’t just declare war on the government…

(Sean) But we can revolt, can we? You’re criminals so it makes sense.

Luke lifted his right eyebrow, turning his head at Sean since the elf caused Luke to falter in his shyness.

Miles stood up from the edge of the bed, folding his arms as he just wore a simple tank top and gray sweatpants. His biceps were clearly defined, they weren’t as big compared to Benn who didn’t even wear a tank top or shirt at all.

Since Benn let his bare chest reveal itself to the world.

(Miles) There’s no way that a group like us could just topple down a government. Let’s think more locally about this.

(Sean) Ok ok … maybe some other time.

(Luke) Honestly, Sean, we shouldn’t revolt. It would only cause us more trouble in the end.

(Sean) Alright, so maybe we could put that revolt to a standstill as well, but there might be something in the oven.

Not even using his hands to get himself up, Sean walked over toward the desk that was riddled with papers, papers being laminated in a Turkish color. Looking through them, not a single paper fell out from the edge as he organized them neatly.

Finding one specific paper, Sean took it out of the stack, having both of his fingers clench onto the bottom of it. The paper being twice as large as the others, the paper had more inches in width than height.

(Sean) Christian said that this plan I conducted was off limits, but now that I’m back in the group…

(Luke) What are you thinking?

Sean showcased the paper out in front of him, his arm pushing whatever muscles and tendons to bulge his extended arm. Seeing the Turkish laminated paper in front of him, Luke leaned forward to see the entire map of the country of Haxouburg, all laced with popular landmarks.

Everyone else took in the two geographical regions of Haxouburg, with one being the Shanta desert that they were in, and the Nabu desert that was located in the southern part of the country. Followed by the Tyche Marsh being on the border between Haxouburg and whatever border Ticia had, all of them nodded their heads as they noticed their location of interest.

(Sean) Again, we’re in Dodgerock, which is in the Shanta desert in the northern region of the country, but guess what’s just an hour away from here?

Using his other hand, his pointer finger tapped a special landmark that took hold of the shape of a large ranch. Letters being inscribed in cursive, Luke squinted his eyes as he encoded the somewhat foreign handwriting into his skull.

While making a deadpan face in the process.

(Luke) The ranch says that it holds the richest family in the world. The Zirardge Ranch.

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(Sean) Bingo! Now because we’re close—

(Miles) We’re not stealing. No way.

Miles towered over Sean, his arms folded in a tightened stance while making a devilish glare that rivaled Luna’s. His body trembling from his toes to his throat, Miles had his entire jaw clenched in an iron bite.

Sean instantly let off a smug grin, raising both of his hands in the air while leaning his body away.

(Sean) Woah hold on. I didn’t say that we’re going to rob money.

(Luke) Hold on Miles, at least hear what Sean has to say before we could decide.

(Sean) Thank you Luke! I knew that you were cool—

(Luke) But regardless, whatever plan that you may come up with would probably be swept under the rug.

Sean rolled his eyes, as well as letting off a scoff that caused Luke of all people to tighten his hands for a split second. Placing the map back on the desk, he put it on top of the stacks of papers that resembled that of an overworked secretary.

Holding his hands in a sort of prayer, he had them down to his right knee as he continued to look at Luke with puppy dog eyes. Being right in front of Luke, the light brown-haired man leaned his body back, looking away as his shyness got the better of him.

(Luke) Stop doing puppy dog eyes … it won’t work.

(Sean) Can you at least let me explain what it may be about?

(Luke) You could if you at least stop trying to get close to me…

Sean took a step back away from Luke, his mouth opening up to let out a soft chuckle. With even Luna and Hope watching from the floor, Sean adjusted his leather jacket’s collar while letting out a simple cough.

(Sean) Ok. This plan that I have been cooking up for months now is really simple. I will be the one to do the heavy work, while you guys do the easy part.

(Luke) Wait, what are you going to do?

(Sean) I’m going to be sneaking inside of the main house. There’s a stack of papers there that is heavily guarded.

Everyone’s eyes darkened at that hearing, and even Luke placed both of his hands to cover his eyes.

Miles unfolded his arms, letting his hands be submitted to gravity while his feet were glued deeply into the wooden floor below him. The two women let out low growls from below, as even Stan’s group swayed their heads back and forth.

Luke looked down at the ground, hunching his back while having his elbows help keep his body up by placing them on his knees.

(Luke) I knew it was going to be something dangerous.

(Sean) Wait let me explain more. You guys aren’t going to kill anyone, you’re just going to make some noise and draw back, but just enough for me to enter and exit.

(Stan) That’s insane.

Stan glared at Sean with monolid eyes, his ears already starting to sharpen and gleam like a blade that wanted the heap of blood. Not noticing that someone was behind the door, Stan’s back felt a slight tap as the door from behind him let loose to…

(Chris) Are you guys talking about the Zirardge Ranch plan!?

Chris poked his head out from the door, gazing inside to see everyone wearing baggy shirts and pants with their feet lying bare.

Stan took a couple of steps to the right to let the teen in, as he glanced at Pacifica who peeked her head from the hallway. Drawing herself back, Stan rubbed both of his eyes, ignoring the barely adult woman as he still felt her stare.

All the while Chris went up toward the light brown-haired young man, his eyes sparkling with a gleaming look of just pure admiration.

(Chris) Are you guys going to pull it off!?

(Luke) Well … from what we’re hearing, I don’t think that it’ll—

(Chris) I want to go!

Chris pointed his finger down toward Luke, his right cheekbone pushed upward to make a grin. Standing right in front of Luke, Chris ignored the furrowed brows coming from all around him as the Dark Angels grunted and hummed.

Straightening his back, Luke slouched his head like a turtle, clutching his hands together with his right thumb on top of his left.

(Luke) Look. I don’t want to drag you into this … or your sister and brother. So please, don’t try to follow us that much.

(Chris) But you guys took back Lagefor, right? You guys are experts in combat, and besides!

Chris pulled back his pointer finger, pushing his thumb upward to create a thumbs-up.

Having all eyes on him, Luke widened his eyes with his mouth slightly open, as the sun’s morning rays bristled and sparkled his dry lips.

(Chris) I’m tired of living a shut-in life! I want to explore you know, other than this town!

His breath got caught in his throat.

Luke looked down at the ground, not wanting to look up at the sparkly-eyed teen who stood in front of him.

Sean noticed Luke’s silence, making him lean more closer toward Luke who kept his mouth shut. Like watching a man with PTSD see the dry grass of a meadow, Sean placed his right hand on his shoulder, letting a huge grin come out from his lips.

(Sean) Seems to me like he got you there huh? So how about it Luke?

Luke turned toward Sean.

Seeing his smooth and clear face, the light-brown-haired young man finally stood up from the edge of the bed. His hands unclenched, his feet fidgeting, he let his shoulders and chest relax despite his stomach feeling like he was about to release an anomaly of leftover lunch.

Breaking the silence, Luke gulped down a handful of dry saliva, his throat in need of moisture as his water intake wasn’t good.

(Luke) sighs … you promise that it won’t be that dangerous thought right?

(Sean) Like I said. I’m the one doing the hard part.

Miles placed his right hand on Luke’s shoulder, his fingers digging into his shoulder bone which caused Luke to look up.

His height towering over him, Luke puckered up his lips from the silence that fell upon the dark complected man. As his bare feet started to stain the wooden floor with his sweat, Luke moved his eyes away from the hardened man.

(Miles) I hope you know what you’re doing …

(Luke) I hope so …

(Sean) Don’t worry, no one is going to be killed, I promise you that.

(Stan) Wait, why do you have this plan to begin with? Do you know exactly what the guards are guarding? It’s papers, but why kind of papers?

Stan tilted his head to the right, folding his arms while leaning his right shoulder blade onto the wooden wall. Feeling a strong gaze in the back of him, Stan ignored it, causing the piercing stare from behind to only worsen like a cougar trying to strike its prey from the back.

Sean pulled back his hair with his right hand, his fingers being tickled by the sharp strands of hair that spiked up like static. His long wavy ginger hair glowing in the sun, he placed his hands underneath his chin.

(Sean) About the Zirardges. After I was banished from you guys, David and Boris told me to find solace in this town, the town where David was raised.

As Sean talked, he moved his hands around to make hand gestures in the presence of strong words. Gathering his little audience, he started to move around the room back and forth in front of the bed, walking through some of the Dark Angel’s feet that were dangling or on the floor.

Which finally caused him to mellow out, with his shoulders pushing downward as well as knees moving freely without buckle.

(Sean) Life here is ok. The citizens here are pretty crappy, and so is the nightlife, but hey, it could be a lot worse right?

Sean took a look outside of the window, unable to even see the town from uphill as most of the trees blocked his view. Looking at the garden down below, Sean didn’t allow his feet or legs to draw near the glass, holding himself back like a lost maiden or main character.

(Sean) But do you know why life here is pretty mellow and sad? The government always says to live a jocular life without stress and danger, but do you know why?

Sean turned his body around, smacking his right hand onto his left with a balled fist. Glaring at Luke, he pinned his slanted eyes onto him, causing Luke to tilt his head upward.

(Sean) It’s the Zirardges! They are known to embezzle and bribe many politicians and leaders with just their money alone.

(Luke) How does that connect our problems to them?

(Sean) Rumor has it that the head honcho has it out for you.

(Luna) You’re putting all of this on a rumor?

Sean let go of his glare, replacing it with just his usual smug grin that resembled a lot of a certain ex-commander from a month ago. Having both of his hands on his hips, he cocked his head to the right.

(Sean) Just got a tip from someone who knows something.

(Luna) Stop pretending to be like Gwen. You’re this close to being punched.

Luna got up from the floor, using her bare feet to push her muscular thighs to their standing position. Putting her hands inside her gray sweatpants, she coldly stared at Sean with monotone eyes, as not even a shred of sympathy or happiness was given to the elf.

(Sean) Someone has to be the life of the party.

(Luke) Back to the discussion … Who’s the person that you heard it from?

The tall ginger-haired elf ceased his smug grin, his lips making a straight line as his nose clenched itself shut. Pointing his eyes away from Luna and Luke, he gazed them off onto the many sheets of paper that resembled a mountain.

And from the drawer of the desk, a small little envelope was partially open, with some of the handwriting being detailed from his peripheral vision.

His mouth feeling dry, Sean gulped down whatever saliva that he had inside of his throat.

(Sean) That’s a complicated manner …

(Luke) If you don’t tell us, then—

(Sean) It’s one of the Zirardge family members…

Everyone remained silent.

Not even letting a simple cough or muscle let loose, the only one who could break this silence was none other than Chris. Letting out a nervous laugh, Chris fiddled with his thumbs while looking toward Luke and Sean.

Like a little brother, he gave them a cheery grin.

(Chris) Then it’s definitely not a trap then!

(Luna) Are you an idiot?

(Chris) My sister tells me that a lot.

(Luna) Then you are huh?

(Sean) Hey, leave the kid alone. He’s probably the most enthusiastic out of everyone here.

Sean wrapped his right arm around Chris’s neck, pulling him close as he made a peace sign with his right hand. Making a simple cheery grin, he closed his eyes as Chris’s temple was right along Sean’s right chest.

Like a bat, a tanned man with a cowlick was right in front of the door, seeing the meeting play halfway.

(Christian) What are you doing Sean?!

To the right of him was none other than Pacifica, her arms folded as she aimlessly looked around the room to see everyone still not dressed in their normal uniforms.

Christian walked forward to where Sean stood, who still had Chris in a carefree hold. Grinding his wisdom teeth on all four corners of his mouth, Christian gave Sean a pierced dagger that even caused the elf to back a couple of steps.

(Christian) You’re planning the raid on the ranch, are you…

(Sean) R-Relax. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.

(Christian) No way in hell you’re going; after the shit you pulled a month prior with them.

(Luke) Wait what?

Luke raised his right eyebrow, squinting his eyes as he looked at the nervously chuckling Sean. Letting go of Chris, he placed both of his hands onto his sweatpants that he was forced to wear, with glares and stares all being directed at him like a comedian dealing with a tough crowd.

Using his toes, he directed the pressure and strength of his body to be centered on them like a ballerina. Noticing that Sean kept his lips sealed, the elf bit his upper lip, a small streak of blood mellowing around his lip.

(Luke) Did you go there a month prior?

(Sean) I uh … worked for the Zirardges for a little bit, to gain knowledge and info of course, but uh …

He looked at the wooden ground that he was all too familiar with.

As he couldn’t even look toward Luke, and especially not toward Hope.

Rubbing both of his hands together, his face lit up in a pinkish red, causing him to pat both of his cheeks with his tainted hands. Only making it worse, Sean finally let out a frown, the sun shining down on his sparkled lips.

(Sean) I had a crush on one of the workers there, and she wasn’t like the rest of the soldiers or guards there…

(Luke) Who was she?

(Sean) The person that I got the info from. She’s a cat human that is a year younger than you … and her name’s Ellie…