More smoke arises close to the area where it first started. Looking at the new places where it rises up, it seems that the direction of battle is going farther away from their house. Since the mercenaries are taking their trouble in the opposite direction, they are now able to breathe a little better. As long as the dispute does not get close, they do not have to be worried about getting accidentally caught up in it and suffer damages.
“An internal fight?...”
“I don’t know the full details. I just heard some adults talking in the market. They wanted to divide the territory because it has expanded too much… and that might be the reason why they have been at each other’s throat.”
“If they are busy fighting each other then they won’t be looking for me.” She thought. “This might be the best chance for me to get the hell out of this place.”
“As long as we don’t get involve in their fights, we’ll be fine.” Brenda says while gesturing for them to get inside the house. “We should start preparing our meal.”
Everyone follows without further questions. After eating lunch and resting a little, Jad and Romi cleans and dries the lizard skins under the heat of the sun. They are planning to sell it in the market the next day. Jad invites Azalea to go to the market to buy some groceries and look for a buyer. This time there are no heavy things to carry so she refuses. It would be safer for her if she does not casually show her face around crowded places. She excuses herself saying that it will be better for her to help around the house this afternoon. Brenda agrees with Azalea and tasks her to look after the younger children while she is finishing up the rest of the laundry.
Leika has salted and seasoned the rest of the lizard meat. She spread it on a tray and then put it out under the sun to dry it. This will preserve it so they can eat it the next day, or the days after that. She then returns to take care of baby Lei. Despite being already around two years old, he is barely able to walk, he mostly crawls. He also has not spoken a single word as far as Azalea has noticed. He always needs help when eating, he cannot use utensils on his own. The child has very little interactions or reactions to other people and his surroundings.
“He’s development is quite delayed.” Azalea says while looking at Leika and Lei. “If there isn’t any health problem... then maybe we can practice his walking.”
Leika nods. “I don’t know how to take care of babies.”
“Technically, I won’t call him a baby anymore, but he sure is small for his age.”
She tilts her head as if she heard something unusual. “Babies are small.”
“Ha,ha… Sure they are.”
While they are helping Lei stand and take small steps, Kou and Raichi comes running. Brenda is following close behind.
“We’re going to the well! We’re getting water!” They say in unison.
“They’re not twins, right?” Azalea asks softly.
“No… When I got here they’re already like that… like siblings.” Leika replies.
“I told you two not run around! What if you trip and fall?” Brenda reprimands the kids before sitting on the sofa. “I’m done doing the laundry but we don’t have enough water for cleaning anymore.”
“We can go fetch water.” Leika volunteers.
“It’s okay. I’ll go after resting a bit.”
“You’ve done a lot of work already.” Azalea says. “You can continue resting while looking after Lei. I can go with Leika to fetch water.”
“We’ll go too! We’ll go too!”
Brenda pauses for a while. “R-right. Take the cart. This time you’ll have to fill three large drums so you will have to go back several times.”
“No problem. We’ll take this two annoying brats too so that you’ll only have to watch over Lei. He doesn’t move much so you can sit and relax.”
Leika leads them to the cart at the backyard and then they set off to the well. Most residents are getting water from it so they have to fall in line and wait for their turn. They have to do it around three or four times to fill the water drums. This much will last them for a day and a half at most, so they have to fetch water almost every day.
Before the sun sets, Jad and Romi returns with some candies that they divided with everyone. After a short break, they are preparing the dinner with what is left at lunch. They simply cook rice and reheat the lizard meat soup. While Jad and Brenda are cooking, Leika and Romi helps the younger kids take a bath. They all should have already taken a bath before partaking in their evening meal. Once night is in full bloom, it is time for Mark and Mary to come home carrying a bag of groceries filled only with necessities.
That is how their days normally come to pass in Wave 5.
After the little kids have left and rested, Jad tells Mark and Mary if there are any problems or concerns while they are away. Normally there will be little trivial things, but lately the issue with the mercenary group in the area is growing more alarming.
“You know the little gang they are supporting seems to be prowling around closer.” Jad says while passing glasses of water in the dining table. “My guess is that they might have heard about Leika being a contractor.”
Mark nods. “Her Ifrit… even though still underdeveloped is a powerful yashou. It also adds up that she awakened at a young age.”
“They are only testing the waters for now.” Jad adds.
“It’s okay.” Mary reassures. “We’ll… We’ll do something… We’ll have to look for... get someone’s protection.”
“It’s better if we don’t get involved with the mercenaries.” Mark says then follows it up shaking his head. “They are going to force us into a corner.”
“So sooner or later you’ll make a deal with a mercenary group from a different territory, right?” Azalea casually joins in. “How about you take over this kiddie gang instead? By looks of it, they are training this little gang to become the group in-charge of the new territory from the divide.”
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“You know, you shouldn’t be butting in here.” Mary gives her a dead look. “You’ll be leaving soon. Don’t concern yourself with our problems.”
“Oh my-.. How harsh.” She acts as if she is shocked. “I’d like to hear some information too.”
“We understand.” Mark mediates. “However, you better not get too involved with our problems. It will take some time to appraise and sell the marbles, so you can stay here for the time being.”
“Of course, I’ll be in-charge when big sis and big bro is out working.” Jad adds with a smug face.
“Yeah, whatever suits your taste.”
“So how do we do that thing you said? How do we beat the other gang?”
“Huh? That’s simple. Challenge their leader to a duel, then beat his ass, and win.”
“S-simple?! You crazy??? Their leader is a fourth degree ki master and his second in command is a contractor with a huge gorilla yashou.”
She scoffs. “Right, I forgot you’re a weakling.”
“Can you two stop?” Mary glares at them. “Jad, I’m amazed you know a lot about the other group. Didn’t I tell you to stay out of trouble?”
“I-I… Well, I… I was very careful…”
She sighs deeply. “Let’s end it here. Let’s turn off the lights and rest.”
“I’m amazed you got the solar power for electricity.” Azalea says.
“It’s loaned.” Mark responds as he approaches the switch to turn it off. “We’re still paying it with interest. Let’s say that’s one of their businesses here.”
“I see. Would you mind if I take the attic tonight?”
“Are you uncomfortable in the living room?” Mary asks.
“Not really, but for safety reasons… I mean, I don’t want to get in your way when you leave early in the morning.”
“I don't really get what you’re up to but the attic is being used as storage and probably full of dust by now.”
“Don’t worry, I have magic.”
∞×∞
Removing the dust is easy using wind magic. The living room is a place where the others often pass by which makes Pulse very sensitive every time it detects little movements. When she is half-asleep, she gets too defensive. It means that she attacks anyone or anything that comes too close to her as a defense mechanism, which makes her a danger to the people around her.
The next day, they do not have to go to Elteb Canyon to fetch clean drinking water or catch food because they still have enough supply. Jad and Romi decides to help in feeding the Desert Giant Horses and the Arvhuro Dragons, both are large monsters that can be tamed and are used to move wagons for transportation. Transportation by wagon or carriage is the common way to go for short-distance travels in the Zone-0. The ranch where these tamed monsters are kept usually accepts some extra hands to help the regular workers. The extra helpers are mostly tasked to feed the monsters or clean their stables. The more delicate work like bathing the monsters are done by the trained regulars.
Meanwhile, back at home, Leika and Azalea goes to the well early to fill the drums of water. Brenda stays in the house to clean and look after the other kids. If they filled the drums early in the morning, then they can have some leisure time in the afternoon.
Jad and Romi returns before lunch with a box of grilled chicken and a pack of candies. The candies are like a treat for them when they think that they have some extra money to spare. It seems that the ranch boss is feeling a little generous so they got a few extra coins for their work. After having their simple lunch, they divided the candy amongst themselves. The little ones are especially happy and thankful for the sweets.
Afternoon comes and Brenda takes Leika to the market. They are going to sell the lizard skin. Meanwhile it is Jad and Romi’s turn to stay home and look after the younger kids. On the other hand, Azalea still finds it safer to stay away from the crowded market so she stays home too. They are helping little Lei practice walking while also looking after Kou and Raichi play and run around their small yard.
Their playtime is tranquil until a group of young men approached the gate. When Jad noticed them he immediately signals Azalea to hide. She complies and takes Lei, Kou and Raichi inside the house. New faces stand out, and they do not want to catch unnecessary attention. She stays close to the entrance where she can watch the next events so she can figure out their purpose in visiting their humble home.
“Oh this is the place, huh?” A young man with spikey red hair comes to the gate followed by a dozen other teenagers. His built is thin but he walks in front with arrogance which makes it evident that he is the group’s leader.
“Yes boss.”
He grins. “Hey you!”
Jad comes closer to them.
“We’re looking for new recruits.” The leader states with a mocking tone. “You don’t…hm.. You look like a fucking wimp. Is it you?”
Jad forces a smile. “I have no idea what you are referring to, sir.”
“Oh, really? So, where are the others?”
“My older brother and sister are out working. If you want to meet with them, you’ll have to wait until late at night.”
“I’m not talking to those weakling ubliss. I heard there’s a young contractor here, with the fire thing.”
“It’s a small ifrit, boss.”
“Right, that!” He takes out a cigarette stick and then someone lights it. “You’re not going to tell me we got the wrong house, are you?”
“W-well…” Jad’s eyes wanders around not knowing how to respond.
One of the bigger guys behind kicks the gate open. He storms in grabbing Jad by the collar almost lifting him off the ground. Romi freezes in place as he watches.
“Calm down, my brother.” The leader follows as he puffs his smoke. “We’re just here to greet them.” He turns his gaze to the house. “I suppose there isn’t anyone who has the guts to challenge us. What a bunch of wimps.”
The big guy throws Jad on the ground. His back slams on the arid dusty land. Before he can stand back up, the leader stomps on his abdomen preventing him from making any moves.
“Next time we come visit, maybe you should invite us in.” He looks down on him without moving his foot. He puffs his smoke again before throwing it at the side. “You better be nice to me while I’m being nice to you.”
The group then left without doing anything more. Romi immediately runs beside Jad to help him sit up. When they are no longer in sight, Azalea comes out with the other kids. Kou and Raichi runs out with teary eyes and then stands beside Jad. She checks on Jad’s condition and then heals him back to health. Fortunately, he only got a few bruises so it is easy to heal.
“We should fix things up before Brenda and Leika returns.” Jad says as he gets up. “Good thing they aren’t here or it would have been a bigger mess. Thankfully, Lea didn’t come out rushing too.”
“Right.” Azalea replies, her tone is deep and low. “Though I was itching to beat them up and teach them a lesson.”
“Well, thank you for not being dumb.”
Her brow twitches. “I know right. If I did that they’ll call for the adult mercenaries. Not only will I have to leave sooner than planned, you’ll also get in the bad side of the territory bosses… Buuuutt~ what if some unfortunate accident happens to them one of these days?”
“For fuck’s sake, don’t you do something that would make them flip the whole Wave 5 upside down! Unless you’re going to stay here and join us, or you are planning to become the new boss, then don’t. Just don’t.”
Azalea sighs. “Fiiiiine… I’m not going to do anything.”
“Great. I appreciate your help by not helping.”
“But weren’t you eager to have your own gang to oppose them?”
“I was…” He looks down as he recalls. “Mark and Mary warned me not to take it as some silly games. If the mercenaries are their backers then they can do real bad stuff… It’s better for us to not make a move unless we’re backed into a corner.”
“It seems that those two knows more about this feud but they don’t give us the details… Well, maybe because it doesn’t… shouldn’t concern me.”
It is not unusual for someone from the neighborhood to see Leika using her Ifrit because they casually use it to start a fire. There are times when they did not consider it as a type of weapon, rather it is a convenient little fire-starter. Since there are not many reveils in the area, it is easy to know which individuals have awakened. The group who keeps the order in their territory would always keep their eyes on those individuals.
They are going to let Mark and Mary know about the incident today. As of now, they do not have any solution to the problem other than try to get along. They do not know when the little gang will visit again. They can only anticipate that they may pop up by the gate one of these days, and then pray that they will not be too aggressive with their harassments.