"So, were there any other survivors?" Zemaku asked. "No," Lea said, "just me and my sister." "She’s your sister?" Zemaku responded in confusion. "Yeah," Lea responded, almost in tears. "Damn," he said with a clenched fist and a sinking feeling in his gut. "I... I can’t believe it," Zemaku said out loud, the shock of it all being made painfully obvious to everyone. "I wanted to believe that there was some hope, a light at the end of the tunnel, that your village would be saved, Lea."

Zemaku paused for a moment, trying to hold back tears, trying to do the same thing he’s been doing all of his life, but this time it would not work. "But I was wrong," Zemaku said, finally finishing the sentence while at the same time letting out tears for the first time since he broke down and admitted his feelings about Joe and told Lea about what happened between them previously.

Neon War Chapter 15: Save Ren from Public Execution. Does Hell Await Ren or Heaven?

Lea noticed Zemaku’s breakdown and went in for a hug. "It’s okay," she said, the surroundings growing brighter as if the sun was also trying to cheer Zemaku up. "I don’t blame you," she said. "You tried everything you could, but it just was not enough. Thank you, Zemaku, for giving me hope," Lea said comfortingly.

"But it’s all my fault. How could you forgive me for failing to save everyone in your village? It just isn’t right. They did not deserve to die," Zemaku said, his eyes still teary.

"It’s fine. Joe was kinda right—we were supposed to die years ago, but the reason we did not die was because the Kyozans were our allies and put us in cryostasis to protect us. But Joe is wrong about one thing: we are not an invasive species. We were on this land way before Thumb or his men ever set foot on it. This has been our home for over a thousand years. We were just in a long sleep, and Joe will pay for what he’s done," Lea said, trying to comfort Zemaku.

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Zemaku was finally feeling better, and he said, "Yeah, you’re right. Alright then, Toji, Lea, let’s go," Zemaku said. But before they could leave, Zemaku’s father came back there in a hover car.

"We’ve got trouble!" he yelled.

"What’s wrong?" Zemaku asked.

Bill's voice trembled slightly, his usual composure cracked by the gravity of the situation. "Thumb’s made Ren the centerpiece of his propaganda. If we don’t act fast..." He trailed off, his face a mix of fear and anger.

"What?" Zemaku yelled in anger. "How could that bastard even dare to try something like this?" Zemaku screamed.

"It was Thumb’s idea," Commander Bill said. "Thumb said it would be a good way to make an example of us. He called us rebels and is moral grandstanding on live TV by saying he’s created a new world rid of antisocial behavior and says we are just antisocial fools," Commander Bill said.

Zemaku’s heart sank. He could feel foreboding in the air. "Did you figure out where he is?"

"Yes," Bill said. "In Town Square. But Thumb’s got wanted posters of each and every one of our members," Bill said.

"Then we need disguises. You said the execution is live. Does the execution leave any spaces where the broadcasters will take a break from recording?"

"Yes," Commander Bill said. "They are currently on commercial break. Once we enter Town Square, we need to purchase tickets to the Thumb Hall Theater."

"Okay then, let’s go," Zemaku said.

To be continued…