The moments of rest were brief; soon, an immense sandstorm began to rise on the horizon, advancing from multiple directions.

Melena stepped out to verify and returned with a tense expression, his face marked by urgency.

—Multiple vehicles are approaching from all sides. At least six groups are heading this way.

—Alright, take cover and get ready. When the time comes, I need you to act quickly. —Then, dropping to one knee, I turned to Summer—. Hide in that corner. When I give you the signal, run to me as fast as you can.

The girl nodded with a seriousness that belied her age. Without saying a word, she moved to a corner opposite where Melena was and crouched down just as he had, hugging her knees tightly to her chest.

Still kneeling, a torrent of memories surged through me. I remembered my mentor, her teachings etched into every fiber of my being. She used to recite words of power, a philosophy that became my anchor and purpose. I closed my eyes, interlaced my fingers firmly in front of me, and whispered silently: "I will endure all, for my strength lies not in me, but in those I protect."

Those were the words by which my mentor lived, and now they gave me strength in this moment of uncertainty.

Unintentionally, I repeated the prayer aloud. My voice carried more conviction than I had anticipated. Rising to my feet, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.

—Kan, to your post.

—Aye, boss. —Kan stood up immediately, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.— Strange words.

—They’re just words.

—Sounded like... a prayer?

—It was.

—You don’t strike me as someone who believes in the Daughters of Metal.

—I don’t.

—Then who were you praying to?

—The Guardian.

Kan stared at me intently. His face still carried traces of confusion, but slowly, he seemed to resign himself to something he couldn’t quite grasp.

—Wouldn’t hurt for Him to protect us right now.

—That’s what I’m here for. —I returned a brief but confident smile.— After all, I already got you out of your cell.

His confusion faded, replaced by a weary yet genuine smile.

—Well then, thanks to the Guardian for sending me a protector.

Soon, the first group arrived, and, unsurprisingly, they opened fire without hesitation.

—Got a strategy? —I asked.

—Save ammo.

We were being showered with bullets. Luckily, they were of low caliber, and the metal plates could hold for now—but not forever.

Rounds ricocheted off the metal plating with a deafening clatter. The low-caliber bullets didn’t pierce through, but time wasn’t on our side.

—They’re not going to hold forever! —Kan shouted, shrinking back behind a corner as a projectile struck near his position, sending a shower of sparks flying.

—You don’t need to say it! —I replied, sticking my head out just enough to get a look. The vehicles from the first group had advanced to a favorable position, using their improvised armor as cover, and their occupants were firing in precise, short bursts.

From his position, Kan timed his bursts with surgical precision. He peeked out briefly, fired, wounding one enemy, and ducked back behind cover.

—They’ve got a heavy vehicle. A buggy armed with a mounted cannon.

—How heavy? —I asked, my eyes fixed on the enemy positions.

—Heavy enough to turn us into Swiss cheese if they get a good shot.

—Perfect, —I muttered sarcastically as I checked my magazine. Ammunition was running low.

Kan peeked out again, fired two more shots, and cursed as he ducked back into cover.

—What’s the plan? —Melena asked from his shelter, tension thick in his voice.

—Distraction and precision. We don’t have enough ammo to keep them at bay. We need to let them get close enough to turn their mistakes into opportunities.

Kan let out a nervous laugh.

—So we’re letting them advance? Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!

The enemy fire suddenly ceased, plunging the area into an eerie silence. Three seconds later, a low, metallic sound of a rotating drum began to echo.

I peeked out for an instant and saw several scavengers rushing toward our position.

—They’re going to activate the—

A deafening explosion cut me off. A body flew through the air, dismembered in a bloody rain.

—Attack!

We both emerged from cover, firing at anything that moved.

Kan showed exactly why he had been an Enforcer in Nest. With a single magazine, he took down more than thirteen enemies in the brief moment it took the scavengers to realize their cannon had been neutralized.

We inflicted heavy casualties, and as quickly as they had arrived, they tried to retreat. But now they ran straight into the other groups, who were starting to open fire on them. That buggy was too valuable for the others not to try and claim it.

—Kai, do we go after them?

—How much ammo do you have left? I’ve got two eight-round magazines and four more in the chamber.

—Two magazines, and I need to reload.

—We’re not moving. Melena, peek out and tell me how far the drivers are.

I didn’t turn to look at him, but I heard his hesitant steps. His legs were trembling, but I was grateful he could still follow orders.

—They’re close... five minutes, maybe.

—Good. Hide.

Meanwhile, more groups began to arrive. At first, they fought among themselves when they ran into each other, but soon they managed to keep a reasonable distance. Some pulled back, seemingly disinterested, while others appeared to reach some sort of agreement. Two groups remained, working together.

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From outside, a deep, defiant voice shouted:

—Whoever you are, surrender and hand over everything of value! If you do, maybe we’ll give you a quick death.

Kan let out a chuckle and responded loudly, making sure those outside could hear him:

—Did you hear that, Kai? What a generous offer! How do you want to reply?

I shook my head without changing my expression. I slid slightly out of my cover and opened fire at the first person I saw.

Kan immediately provided cover fire, and to our surprise, reinforcements arrived just in time. They had positioned themselves outside the shacks surrounding us and began firing as well.

The response was so overwhelming that, for the first time, we gained the upper hand. The groups outside hadn’t expected reinforcements. They’d assumed we were few in number and relied on their numerical superiority. Their mistake became our turning point.

Kan moved out from his position, flanking the enemies with precision. The group outside, now split into two, began executing their own flanking maneuvers. Within minutes, they had them surrounded.

I prepared to move forward, but something caught my attention. A final group of vehicles was approaching rapidly in the distance. If they managed to intervene in the middle of the fight and surround us, it would be over for us.

"Allies or enemies?" I wondered, my throat tightening. For a moment, the tension made me forget how to breathe.

Finally, the vehicles got close enough to identify.

—Our transport is here! Fall back! —I shouted at the top of my lungs.

Hearing me, everyone began retreating swiftly. From her corner, Summer ran toward me with everything her small legs could muster. She leapt into my arms without hesitation. I had no choice but to carry her and run toward the vehicles.

We were halfway there when something lunged at us.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone charging at me from the right, aiming directly for the arm holding Summer. The bastard had waited until the very last second to ambush me.

I reacted by leaning forward, using my shoulder blade to shield the girl.

A short blade pierced my flesh, striking the bone in my shoulder.

—Kailen! —Kan shouted from afar. He raised his weapon and aimed at the attacker, but when he pulled the trigger... nothing.

Out of bullets. Desperation flashed across his face as he realized it.

My attacker raised his machete again, this time for a horizontal slash. He was aiming for my head.

In my position, I was too slow to turn and fire with my revolver. The blade would land before I could pull the trigger.

The whistle of steel cutting through the air was interrupted by a deafening bang.

Blood splattered across my face. My attacker collapsed like a sack of meat.

—You’ve got guts, Soyboy. I thought you’d sacrifice the kid to save your own skin.

From one of the vehicles, Olaf was laughing, shotgun in hand.

Kan came running, helping me up as best he could, and together we reached the transport. Once inside, the vehicle roared to life and sped off. Gunfire echoed in the distance, but no one dared pursue us.

—That’s a nasty wound you’ve got there, kid —Olaf remarked, studying me with a mocking grin.

—Just a scratch —I replied, trying to sound steadier than I felt.

Olaf raised an eyebrow and shifted his gaze to Summer.

—And who’s this little sweetheart?

I swatted his hand away with a sharp motion.

—Just a visit. Don’t touch her.

—Come on, boy, no need to take it so seriously, —he replied, grinning smugly—. People say all kinds of things about your job, but you don’t have to be so stiff.

—Stay back, Olaf. Last warning.

Olaf leaned in closer, his face inches from mine, defiant.

—Or what?

With my good arm, I raised the revolver, pressing the barrel beneath his chin.

—Or I’ll relieve you of your heavy burden.

Olaf burst into laughter, pulling back as he rubbed his chin.

—Hahaha! At least you’ve got guts. Fine, kid, relax. Supplies are in the back. Tell your boyfriend to patch up that wound of yours.

I exchanged a glance with Kan, who nodded silently before heading for the medical kit.

—Might as well grab a couple of snacks while you’re at it, —Olaf added, laughing—. I think we’ve got some synthetic meat.

My metal skeleton couldn’t be harmed by such a superficial hit, and Summer was completely unharmed, so, all things considered, it had gone well. The retreat was underway, heading for the designated pickup point for the sniper, and we could finally get out of this place.

—I never quite understood why you took this job, kid, —Olaf said, gnawing on a piece of synthetic meat Kan handed him—. Most of us are so deep in the crap that we had no other choice, but you… you didn’t seem desperate enough to make a deal with the devil. Now I see—you did it to rescue your boyfriend.

Even though Olaf spoke like he knew everything, there was still a hint of questioning in his tone. It was obvious he was fishing for information.

—I just killed two birds with one stone, —I replied. —Paid back a favor and got what I needed.

I didn’t want to assume anything, but the more time passed, the more I started to feel like I wasn’t exactly surrounded by friends.

—You’re not bad, kid. Here, take my contact info. Maybe we can do business in the future.

—What kind of business?

—You’ve got the eyes of someone who’s going to need an army someday. I’ve spent my whole life in the Pits—I know how to pick fighters.

—What’s that supposed to mean? I can’t even afford rent. Where the hell would I get the Obis to fund an army?

—Nah, sounds like something you’d do somehow, —Kan chimed in, backing Olaf. Both of them shared a laugh at my expense.

—Enough daydreaming. We’ve got a long trip ahead. Rest while you can.

They laughed even harder.

—Why are you so worried, kid? We’re out of danger now.

—Not until we’re out of this zone. And not until we deliver our VIP to the contractor.

“There’s still a goddamn problem,” that thought kept gnawing at me.

Luckily, our escape wasn’t too complicated, though it was undeniably grim.

When we arrived at the rendezvous point, we found Toshi and Reika standing alongside one lone young man. Everyone else had died in the assault. Two technicians and two veterans had also been killed, bringing the total losses to nine. Almost half of the people who came along were now dead.

I felt like I should say something, but not a single word came out. It was partly my fault they were dead. It had been my plan—a shitty plan.

Guilt weighed heavy, but there wasn’t time to face it. We still had to deliver Summer and get the rest of the team out of this wasteland. Only when we were back in the Lower City would we be safe enough to mourn the fallen.

I thanked Toshi for saving us from the heavy cannon, and we climbed back into the transports to complete our journey. If it hadn’t been for Toshi’s timely shot, that cannon would have torn us apart so thoroughly we’d be unrecognizable.

All that was left was the trip back.

At last, I was able to close my eyes, if only for a moment. I needed to rest.

I had completed my mission and saved Kan. Everything was fine.

"I can rest."