While the exhausted Tomb Riders were recuperating their depleted stamina inside the base, they promptly heard loud bangs pounding on the sealed entrance, which caused them to be alarmed.
“What the heck is that noise?”
“Are we under attack?”
“No way! Already? I didn’t even catch one wink!”
“Could a Ghoul have discovered this place?”
“Why as soon as we got here it had to be this way?”
Everyone was on edge. Those who were dozing off, shot up to their feet, moreover, engaged their motors for battle. “They won’t take me out laying on my ass! I’m ready for you bastards!”
The loud banging persisted. Due to how the base was designed, the people inside couldn’t see what was outside; conversely the same vice versa. There wasn’t any windows or gaps to peek through.
“Calm down everyone. First, let us assess the situation.” Armoured Hero came along where the irate Tomb Riders were standing by at the entrance. Meliodas and Water Lilly were by his side. He searched Trisha then called her over. “I remember this facility having some sort of transparent function that enables someone from within to peek outside. Can you get it operational?”
“I can try.” Trisha answered calmly. “If the circuitry still works then I should be able to.” She sought help from members of her Research Division then hurried over towards the sealed entrance. “This base model is of the 4th installation. So the control port should be somewhere over here.”
With the aid of her brilliant team, Trisha quickly located the mechanism she needed to activate the door’s transparency. “It’s still operational.” Trisha’s tampering activated the entrance’s transparency.
What everyone saw after the intruding assailant became apparent, was a manner of flaming insanity madly slashing away it infernal webs at the door.
“The hell! Isn’t that person…?” After a good look, many Tomb Riders began recognizing the uninvited guests.
A rebellious humanoid donned in dark vestment with his skull on fire. Behind him were little over a dozen Tomb Riders idle on their motors.
“Isn’t that insane maniac Ghost Rider and his crew!!! How the hell did they find this place?”
“Should we let them in?”
“There is enough space for more people but…”
“But what? If we don’t let those maniacs in then they will continue beating down the entrance until a powerful Ghoul discovers us. The storm outside is currently blocking the noise from escaping. However, when it stops we might be in deep trouble.”
“What do you think we should do?” Trisha spoke directly to Armoured Hero but before he could answer, Water Lilly said:
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“Let them in. It is the best course of action. With more people, our chances of survival will be higher.”
Some Tomb Rider’s disagreed, preferably the females. “But that flame head guy is a known criminal. I heard he was incarcerated on multiple counts of rape and murder; plus those in his gang looks hideous. I don’t want to be alone with such devious characters.”
“Don’t worry, miss. He won’t be able to try anything with so many of us present.” Armoured Hero stepped forward then nodded at Trisha to open the door.
“Alright.” The door quickly slid open. With the entrance now unlocked, a vicious roar made its way into the base.
“ORAAAH! What the f*ck took you guys so long to open up? My heated skull almost melt because of the damn storm!” Ghost Rider forced his angry voice into the ears of everyone dwelling inside the secluded cave.
“Hey, shithead, aren’t you going to answer me?” Ghost Rider brazenly stepped forwards. He grabbed up Armoured Hero’s collar and spat his commanding word in his face. “Well???”
Before he answered, Armoured Hero softly brushed away Ghost Riders gripping arm. “Firstly, we had no idea that it was you banging on the door. Secondly, how did you find this place?”
“What do you think, armoured genius?” Ghost Rider stepped by Armoured Hero after he gestured for his gang to enter the facility. “I heard some loud noise in the distance while I was trekking up the mountain. Me and the boys checked it out and discovered dead Mantis Ghouls along with the trail you punks left behind. And don’t worry, we’ve already taken care of those rodents who were hiking up your ass. Come on boys. Let’s grab some grub and recuperate our strength.”
Ghost Rider’s gang was an imposing presence inside the secret facility. Most of them resembled ex-convicts. The other teams stayed clear of them. Only Armoured Hero, Water Lilly and Meliodas were brave enough to interact with them.
“There is an extra space over there.” Armoured Hero informed Ghost Rider who got peeved at his advice.
“Huh? Don’t f*cking boss me around punk.” Though he acted rebelliously, Ghost Rider went to the exact area that Armoured Hero pointed out. He stayed clear of Water Lilly because of their conflicting elements. “I don’t like that effing bitch.” He glared at her from the side.
As soon as Ghost Rider entered in range, Meliodas grabbed his arm. “Hey, Ghost Rider, have you seen Mad Cobra of Cool Zephyr by chance on your way here?”
“Hmm?” Ghost Rider didn’t act as unruly as he did with Armoured Hero. Taking a quick gander around, he noticed that most of Meliodas’ crew were missing. “What the heck happened to your crew, man? Did they all got wiped out by some super strong ghoul?”
“No shit, only 10 of my squad managed to survive. If Armoured Hero hadn’t shown up in time, we’ve would have been wiped out completely.”
“Oh…” Ghost Rider was slightly dazed. ‘I can’t believe it. Out of all these shitheads here, I thought that the Dragon Slaughterer’s group would have the most survivors. This Ghoul Graveyard is an unpredictable shithole indeed.’
“I’m sorry about what happened to your crew, man. Anyway, I haven’t seen either of those people since I got here. Take it easy.” He tapped Meliodas’ shoulder then walked away.
The dark flames on Ghost Riders head dwindled to normality. From an outer perspective, it seemed as if his skull was on fire but this was actually an illusion brought to life by his unique helmet. It was also a secondary part of his Ghoul Trigger called Skullmet. After he took it off, his true countenance was revealed. He had a cute baby face that he found disgusting. It wasn’t threatening enough to strike fear into others. Hence the reason why he always wore such scary-looking masks.
“That guy reminds me of that unruly idiot.” Said Fluffy Tanya after sizing up Ghost Rider’s demeanour. “Why are there so many uncouth characters joining us on this expedition. I bet they’re the type that would kill their comrades in battle only to blame it on the Ghouls. Don’t you think so too, A.J?”
“Huh?” Angelina was too focused on repairing her Ghoul Trigger to mind the abrasive presence of Ghost Rider and his crew. To make it seemed as if she was paying attention she said to Fluffy Tanya: “Yeah, they are all idiots.” She went right back to fixing her gears.