Chaung looks up at the sky-scraping trees to see Nina's head popping up in the guard tower. A few moments later, Ara's figure is there too.

"So far so good," He says as he turns to Matsuko, Kimi, and Yasuke. "Alright, Yasuke and Kimi, you're on the Norther route, we go south."

"There are eight guards left somewhere along the routes so keep an eye out," Matsuko adds as they all pass a nod to one another,

"Let's move," Chaung orders.

They all head past the archway that leads to the town. They are immediately met with a fork splitting the road into the northern and southern routes where they separate into their groups.

Matsuko and Chaung jog down the Southern route, scanning around for any guards. "What if we don't see any?" She asks.

"We only have to leave them crumbs and they will flock like birds."

"And if we see all of them?"

"Then we fight, and get it done a little quicker,"

As they jog up the route, they finally make their way to the town, converting into a walk to avoid drawing any attention to themselves. The town is suspended in the air, just above Chaung's head. Each store and home is carved into the tree trunks with walkways and bridges interconnecting them all. It sits significantly lower than the watchtower, creating a safe means for the locals to pass between tree houses.

"So how do we get their attention? I don't see any guards," Matsuko asks.

"We will start with the comms center."

They make their way up a nearby flight of stairs and enter the suspended town. You can see through most of the town, with the town square visible in the center as a large stage suspended amongst six or so trees. They pace themselves, walking with haste past homes and stores, looking for the right one.

Chaung glances to the Northern side of the town, but doesn't spot Kimi or Yasuke.

"I think I see it," Matsuko points three trees away.

As they approach the tree, with a closed door and a guard standing out front, they halt on a bridge out of the guard's vision.

"How do we deal with him?" Matsuko asks.

"Quietly," He says, glancing over to where the watchtower was. "I don't know if she has a shot."

He crosses both of his arms at his chest, then points at the tree. "If she can't, You'll need to get his attention. I'll go around the other side and take him out from behind."

"Shouldn't there be another guard?" She asks.

"Yeah," He sighs, glancing around the area. "He might be inside. When I take out the first guard we move his bod-"

Chaung's words are cut off by the sound of an arrow zipping in the distance. Without a second thought, they both run straight for the door. As they come around the front, they see the guard with his hand to his neck and an arrow extending out. He drops to one knee when Matsuko steps behind him, covers his mouth, and pushes the arrow all the way through the guard's neck.

"Get the door," Chaung orders as the guard's body thuds to the floor.

Matsuko draws her sword, opening the door to see two soldiers sitting in front of a cluster of audio transmitters and radios, having a conversation with one another as one turns to look at the door.

She thrusts forward as the soldier's eyes lighten with realization and before he can react her blade glides through the front of his throat. The other soldier turns in a panic at the sound of choking and reaches for a pistol at his waist.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Matsuko removes the blade from the first soldier's throat as his body falls limp on the chair. As the second soldier raises his gun, Matsuko cleanly cuts off the hand holding the weapon, the soldier briefly screams before the blade charges through his throat.

Reducing the scream to a gargle.

The soldier falls to his knees and falls to the floor. Her blade slides out in the process as Chaung drags the guard's body into the room, and closes the door behind him.

He glances around the room, before reaching over to one of the radios, changing frequencies and unplugging relays. Stepping over to the telegraph machine, he starts signaling in morse code whilst Matsuko scans the room.

She notices a small safe underneath one of the desks and crouches over to tap on the side of the safe. It thuds with each knock.

"Can I get a charge?" She asks.

"Bag," He responds, still tapping away.

She steps over and grabs a small, thumb-sized device hooked to the side of his backpack. She removes a strip on the back, revealing a sticky side that she places on the front of the safe. She flips a switch on the side of the charge and a beeping sound begins, increasing with tempo quickly.

She takes two steps back as the charge's beeping rises to a prolonged tone. A small burst of smoke disperses around the safe as the dial on the front falls off.

Chaung finishes the signal, putting it on a loop that plays back aloud before he mutes the speakers.

"Fuck!" Matsuko exclaims as Chaung's body whips into action.

"The charge is worth more than this," She adds, flipping through a few notes of currency.

"We need to move," Chaung orders as he peels the door open and checks if it's clear.

He steps out with Matsuko following as she closes the door and they walk away. A few civilians notice them leaving the room but they opt to act casual.

"They'll notify the other guards," Matsuko notes.

"Crumbs," Chaung utters.

They path towards the square, the large platform visible in the distance with a few stores built in the trees suspending it. An arrow whizzes overhead prompting them both to duck down. They look across the bridge beside them where two guards stand facing their direction. One with an arrow protruding from his shoulder and the other raising his weapon to the trees in a panic.

Matsuko and Chaung both draw one of their flintlock pistols, firing from their hips in the brief chaos.

Two concurrent shots reverberate through the forest as both of the guards fall to the floor. Matsuko whips herself around and aims her sights at a third guard who runs into cover.

"We need to kill him," She says as she creeps forward with nearly silent steps. Chaung turns as well, directing his gun to where the guard is taking cover.

Before she reaches the end of the bridge the guard pops out of his cover, with his weapons raised straight at Matsuko. Shit- She had the wrong spot in her sights.

Her head turns, and her gun follows when a shot screams through the forest.

She didn't fire it.

Matsuko's entire body tenses, her eyes cold in shock as she sees a bullet surge through the guard's head.

She looks at her body, then over to Chaung with a pale tone and blank expression. Watching the heat radiates from his gun.

"Are you hit?" Chaung yells out from across the bridge.

She slowly shakes her head before looking back over at the guard, slowly backing up towards Chaung.

"Let's move," He says. "That should be all of the guards from this side. We'll post up on the west side of the square in case Kimi and Yasuke bring more of them by."

"Thanks." Matsuko mumbles.

"How did your life look when it flashed before your eyes?" Chaung laughs.

"Shut up," She grins, rolling her eyes as they both holster their weapons.

"I bet it was quite depressing," He jests.

"The worst part was how often you appeared," She responds as they both laugh.

"What are we going to do about the bodies?" Matsuko asks, glancing around the area.

"The locals already know what's going on. I retired most of their relays, so they can't get a message out unless it's my signal to the rebels," He responds as he makes his way across the bridge. "We just need to kill all the guards."

Matsuko nods, taking a deep breath before jogging with Chaung to the west side of the square.

"Dantians once ruled the lands and seas of Luná." - The A'shic Records