Chapter 49

“Onto the position!” Zep shouted and most of the surrounding teams went up at arms. They prepared a large machine gun in less than a minute and opened the big door outside. Hovering in a single spot didn't create large turbulences and most people were able to walk fine. There was some contraption that allowed heavy weapons to hang over the open door, allowing one to aim properly and shoot at a large angle.

Zep knew his orders and the Dark Fog spread far and wide, although not as close because Luke stopped its movement when he flew inside. Still, it was likely that some Darks could come for the helicopter since Melia was no longer in her position, making them into a fly.

After barking more orders, Zep noticed struggling William, who was trying to open his seatbelt and take a proper look at what was below. Anna wasn't familiar with this sight, so she pretended to not exist and held onto her book. A thin part of her regretted coming with them, but she knew Outside might be dangerous, and Luke did warn her.

Most Outside missions were like that. No one was sure what to expect around the dangerous regions, and this was not only about the Zone, but the worst of them.

They had to be quick because their fuel had limits and they relied on this dangerous route because of this machine and Melia.

“Want to take a look at a proper action, boi?” Zep asked William, who glanced at him with an uncertain look.

“I do, but this belt is a torture device.”

“Alright.” Zep chuckled and with a single finger, unlocked his seatbelt.

Stupefied and angry, William couldn't figure out how he did it. Without much choice, or a chance to retort, Zep pulled him up and shoved him to a window right beside Melia, who winced and cursed Zep but didn't do anything to William.

He glanced at the best view of the sight below. With the hovering helicopter, and team ready to shoot, William had no trouble with his movements or his eyes. The excitement contained within his arm was growing stronger and any fear lost its longing. This time was calm, unlike many instances before.

Down, amid Dark Fog, blasting light coming from Luke's attacks, and stormy weather that couldn't reach this far, he saw a monster that he had never seen before. Jawrans weren't that common to attack camps or reach that far into Canada. They didn't like to go up to the North and liked large cities with big nests and lots of Darks.

“What sort of Dark is that? It is so large. Looks like a prehistoric beast!”

“That right there is Jawran,” Zep explained when Melia was done with him. “It is at Rank 6. It is as big as a couple of houses, with triple jaws and a nasty amount of Arcana and weight. It can slap a building to pieces, or shatter many of them in a single charge. Its Dark Aspects are simple and focused, and its mind isn't the greatest. Its strength lays in its flesh and flight.”

Melia laughed at him. “You of all people are teaching a kid? I am gonna drown...”

Zep's pride got hurt.

All of them were looking out the window by William's side.

“Will Luke manage if it is so strong?”

“You've seen him enough. He will, obviously. Jawran locked above the ocean is like a fly in a spider web. Weakened and stupid, he will deal with it sooner or later. Watch the way of Rank 5 Walker. However, I must say, this Dark Fog and the overall situation is difficult to see from afar. It reeks of evil. That Dark Fog, I mean. What is hiding there might not be Jawran alone. Without him, it might've been vastly different.”

William wanted to say why not flee if this was an unknown level of danger. He would if he could. Zep didn't say this was regular procedure, as they were coming close to Federation, and dealing with Darks this far was better than letting them further into the ocean.

Shortly after, Zep's words went through some facts, yet Luke still struggled, and nothing stronger than Jawran made an appearance. That was good news, since what would happen if there were a dozen of them?

They would flee because there was no other choice, leaving Luke behind.

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William watched how Luke's fight changed through many phases, including one where Dark Fog scattered, and returned, and many of Luke's clashes left sharp and loud noises behind. There was also blood, howls, and a crazy amount of movement. A lot of blood seemed excessive, but Darks had large and different body rules from people, whose blood was essential. Even a small loss could be fatal, while Darks could lose limbs and half of their blood, yet they would still fight the same.

William shook as he looked at this fight and that Arcalyst that changed into a big hammer. Luke's gravity work was also strange, and his monumental swings left a big impression. Then, that Crashex seemed like a crazy weapon that William found oddly familiar. Many Walkers liked these kinds of weapons. It was for cutting rather than a big smash.

It didn't take that long for Jawran's lifeless body to fall into the ocean.

William could barely understand how it attacked or how Luke even dealt with it this quickly. In the end, he dealt with it and made many weird notions in the air that he couldn't comprehend. The System was there, following the Screens.

Melia nor Zep explained it; they just watched how Luke dealt with these issues and both of them sighted in relief. William tried his guesses and figured this fight was a good starting point.

“So strong!” William mumbled. He noticed from afar how Jawran crumbled and Luke stood in a big battle axe.

“That is Rank 5 Walker, boi,” Zep eased the silence and figured everything was over. Dark Fog scattered or fled, which might be strange, but he welcomed it. “I bet Luke wanted you to see this, but he is a forgetful fella. I took care of it for him. Do you feel gracious? Glad?” Zep smugly said.

Melia kicked him aside and glanced at William far too closely, and noticed the gleaming crimson and pulled sleeve.

Crimson? What is up with that one? When did he pull it out? She wondered and eyed this boy she didn't know. She was half-certain about her mission, so she knew this was the one who made a sudden noise in some part of the Federation. A lost boy for some important Walkers came off as odd, yet he looked average and lost. Melia found it curious and looked at him.

“I am Melia, by the way. Be grateful to be under my Shadows and see a good Walker at play.”

“Are you stronger than Luke?” William bluntly asked, causing Melia's eyes and face to twitch. She awkwardly chuckled and turned back. “O-obviously not. He is a whole Rank above me. That is like... far for us. It is fair to see a difference because he is much older than me. There is also a big period difference and grace. But we have our differences and strengths, so don't get the wrong idea.”

William trusted her since she was right. Even with different Ranks, some Walkers showed qualities and focused on many things. Some were better at crown control, others had ridiculous feats of strength, and others were great at supporting close or further spaces, or people. There was nothing wrong or good when asking which of them was stronger.

“Apologies,” William said to her and realized his mistake. “I didn't mean to be this... curious. Luke fought well. You must be good at something else.”

“Of course.” Melia turned and glanced out and back at him. “You should think of yourself too. This world out there used to be ours. We should take it back.”

“Now, who teaches who?” Zep asked right beside her and dodged her kick.

William stopped their unnecessary fight. “Thank you very much for this chance and explanations. This is a sight I will never forget.”

Melia stopped her manifesting Shadows from crashing Zep to the ground and coughed. “Yes. It is good to be grateful. Graceful too...”

Zep moved away from her just in case, unleashing a quick tactical retreat.

“Yeah. Yea. That ideology is what I would expect from a young Walker. Clueless but not afraid. Realistic but not naive. Darks are nothing like this, though. They are very real and brutal. Make sure your heart is firm and that some people are close. No one wants to be alone in the darkness. Friends are good! More than the sea and currents of the oceans, understood?”

William looked back to the ocean and clenched his fists. He nodded without hiding commitment and resolve.

Melia appreciated William's commitment and wondered what his story was. A kid like him from Outside, yet sought out like a gold. Unbeknown to William, he didn't know how others perceived him, or what he truly meant for others.

Just as they ended speaking, Luke flew through the open door, dodging a machine gun that had no time to shine. Every Dark focused on the obvious foe below.

“Grab something,” Zep added.

A big gust of wind flew in when Luke landed on the floor, causing most people to flinch. It was as if a storm arrived, and Luke had a haggard look as if he had gone through hell. With a Cube in hand, he checked his wet and messy hair and scowled at his jacket and uniform. “Ah, that was my seventh favorite jacket!” he complained.

“You just got it from the storage today, sir,” Zep said.

“And it was already worth the seventh place! Anyway...” Luke shook his head, noticing how his wounds which weren't as critical. His Emblem beamed lightly with throbs and flow lowered. Even his wavy armor was gone, with Cube being most of his flow.

“Good work, Captain,” Zep saluted while working on closing the door and getting back to their journey.

“Easy work. Though, it had bad timing and...” Luke noticed Melia hiding behind William. “Why are you here?”

Zep perked up and looked at them, partially flinching Melia with scorn.

“C-captain,” Melia saluted and stepped forward. Her Shadows were still going strong, looking like a suit and robe around her. “We stopped and I said what I said. I went up because why not? I felt the storm and...”

Luke sighed and wished for a towel instead. “I know. But getting out of your post? Get back. We are going onward so make us smaller than a fly.”

Melia scowled, knowing that arguing was useless, and not knowing his cause. Still, she couldn't refute his order. She reluctantly disappeared to the lower portion of the helicopter, where was her observation deck and a place where nothing would bother her work. Snapping the plate back to place, the place became surprisingly quiet.