(Reverence 3, 59 / 12:10AM)

(Luna) That’s the signal.

The three of them watched the burning flames that were just to the east of them.

Upon noticing the fastening speed of the inferno, Luna noticed a large red barn that seemed void of life. Despite needing shelter from the fastening flames, she also looked behind to see the large southern hill that Jack was on top of.

Kicking a batch of fertilized dirt softly, she looked over to the flames again, her eyes pushed down with her metal batons lightly creaking.

(Luna) Benn, Chris; go back to the hill where Jack is.

(Benn) You’re going to go where Luke is?

(Luna) It’s a funny feeling, but I think he needs my help.

Benn and Chris looked at one another, with Chris not muttering a word as he quickly looked away from the shark-human. Folding his arms, Benn only nodded, followed by turning his body so that he was walking toward the hill.

As for Chris, he began to clatter his teeth repeatedly, his entire body swelling up despite the hot blowing wind starting to flush against his face.

(Luna) What are you doing idiot? Follow Benn.

(Chris) … I’m going with you.

(Luna) Excuse me?

(Chris) I want to take part in this.

(???) Ew … a man.

To the north of the two of them was a woman the same age as Luna, her hair being drenched in a light turquoise. Wearing nothing but a black skirt dress that covered up to her knees along as well as her shoulders, she also had on a white hairband with a golden star stitched onto the center.

Being the same height as Hope, along with having the same weight, only made Luna push up her face. Noticing that the girl looked toward the teenage boy who had a couple of garlic stems in his hair, Luna raised both of her hands high.

All the while the light turquoise-haired woman had a cigar in her left hand.

(Luna) Who are you?

The turquoise-colored hair woman turned to face Luna, she only scrunched up her face the flame of the cigar ceased in the snap of a finger. Her cigar put out, she threw it down to the garlic crops, cocking her head to the right.

(???) Ew, a muscular woman. I hate it when women try to be muscular and strong to try to impress men, it’s annoying!

(Luna’s thoughts) Is this the female version of Harold!?

Hovering over her fingers onto the buttons latched on her batons, she extended her right hand straight at the girl. Glaring at her, she spread out both of her feet apart from each other, with her right foot being pressed more forward than her left.

Having her body straightened, she sniffed the air once to recognize the now-burning smell of garlic coming its way.

(Luna) You got a problem with me?!

(???) Not just you, but every other girl in general. Always trying to impress or sacrifice yourselves to men who won’t even bother to look at you. It’s shameful.

(Luna) Not my fault you have a shitty love life.

(Chris) Uh, Luna…

(???) Beat it, you idiot! I’m talking to her, thank you!

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As the woman tilted her head when talking to Chris, she glanced back toward where Luna’s spot was—

Luna simply vanished.

Taking a couple of steps back, the woman placed both of her hands up toward the level of her shoulders, her hands already enclosed into fists. But in one swift motion, a long blade instantly hovered over her neck.

Tilting her head upward, the woman also had her arms and hands locked hard by none other than Luna’s other hand. Having no choice but to submit to her, the woman brushed her back against Luna’s stomach and chest, her head looking up at the tanned beauty.

(Luna) Again, who are you? Before I turn you into a mute.

(???) Are you going to rob the Zirardges?

(Luna) One last chance.

Tilting her head down, the silver blade started to slowly press on her lower jaw, with a flick of blood rolling down her throat. The droplet of blood just barely staining the crops, the woman soon released a devilish grin.

(???) I’m Vivy, Vivy Zirardge. Unlike most people, I have power. The kind of power that doesn’t involve just money.

Her body soon started to melt.

Like ice cream on a hot summer day, Vivy’s body soon started to drip and shed into the ground below. Letting go of her, Luna took a step back as she raised both of her metal blades to create a defensive stance. By having her swords mostly blocking her face, the lower end of the blades also covered her thighs and lower stomach.

Meanwhile, Chris took out a Mauser pistol, having his finger on the side of the gun as he aimed it at the watery blob.

All the while the blob started to grow, starting to form arms and legs similar to that of a humanoid creature. Like a fountain that drips water but collects it back up in an infinite pattern, the creature had a defensive layer of liquid that resembled that of water.

With a gasp of air, the creature’s mouth-hole was opened upward.

(Vivy) Now come here!

______________________________________________________________________________

(Luke’s group)

(Luke’s thoughts) Wait … is he the head of the Zirardge family!?

The middle-aged man started to slowly walk forward along the gravel road, having his left hand hold the center of the trench gun. Holstering the butt of the gun onto his right hip, he hovered his finger on the trigger, his eyes analyzing the three of them.

Especially Luke.

Continuing to walk, bits of pebbles and rock were skipped away, as some of the rocks and pebbles soon brushed onto Luke’s boots.

(???) Do you know how much I had to bribe Reed of all people? Half of my fortune is gone thanks to you guys.

(Luke) Y-You’re the one that had Reed against us?!

(???) I consider it payback. Besides, you guys were just going to spend time in The Dome, but you made it complicated.

The man soon ceased his slow walk, with the barrel of the gun just nudging onto Luke’s upper back. His leather jacket fully enclosing the barrel, the young man tapped his right foot on the gravel repeatedly, along with him biting down on his teeth.

His knuckles glistened in the hot dry wind, he soon lowered them onto his thighs despite the man pushing the barrel into his upper back. Taking a step forward as he was softly pushed, Luke darkened his eyes while slightly arching his back.

(Luke) … We could’ve paid for the damages to your tower. We could’ve helped out with the reconstruction … But why send us to prison…?

Silence fell upon the four of them, with the sound of burning garlic to the right of them crackling under the cloudy night sky.

Without moving his head, Luke used his eyes to glance at his left holster that was situated on his left hip. Keeping his hands still, he also glanced from on top of the southern hill that carried the red-haired sniper, as a thought came to him.

A thought that could save him if he was that lucky.

But after his thought, the man started to push his finger on the trigger, with the trigger 40% already pressed.

(???) To display an example of what happens when you decide to play hero.

Immediately, Luke ducked his head and body 90 degrees, with the barrel of the man’s gun having no chance to shoot him.

Firing the trigger, the point-blank range didn’t even scratch or graze any contact on Luke’s body or clothes, with only the top of his hair being burnt from the bullet. Having both of his hands on the gravel, he used his right foot to kick back the man onto his knee, causing him to drop his gun.

Hearing a simple crack, the man wobbled backward while scrunching up his face.

(Jack’s thoughts) Time to put you in a bind buddy.

Another sniper shot thundered the ranch.

Luke and the others already had their heads down low. Glancing up, a gushing river of blood rolled along the man’s right shoulder, having his knees hit the gravel ground hard.

Placing his left hand onto the wound, Luke, Miles, and Hope squint their eyes to notice an abundance of dust and ash being pelted by boots. Widening their eyes, the three of them slowly started to walk backward, their lungs already filled with embers and ash.

As figures drenched in thin brown jackets wielding Thompsons and carbines were seen far in front of them.

(Luke) We have to hold out until Sean arrives…

(Miles) How can we hold them out!?

(Luke) Uh … How long can you hold a solid shield for?

Giving Luke a furrowed brow, Miles clicked his tongue while letting out a dry cough from the inhalation of smoke.

(Miles) cough … For a solid defense shield while they shoot at it, I guess 10 minutes max why?

(Luke) Alright.

Giving Luke a nod, Miles placed himself in front of the two, kneeling with one knee on the gravel and pebble road. Having his palms scraped against the ground, a blue light began to emit from his wrists, with the light seemingly taking form to form of a large see-through shield that spanned just enough for the three of them to take position.

Keeping his hands still on the center of the shield, Miles lowered his head, as the footsteps of a platoon of guards began to be seen right in front of their eyes.

Both Luke and Hope sitting down along the blue shield, they soon brought out their weapons, with Hope bringing out her usual combat pistol. As for Luke, he took out dual-wielding uzis, his palms gripping tightly onto the grip of the metal.

(Luke) Guess we’re going to have to ride it out.