No longer than ten minutes out. Dusk was already closing in. The day had blown by. The dark clouds from earlier joining them. Tobias thought about bringing “her” up to Maxwell, but he didn’t want to haunt him with another ghost right now. Through a slim alley and back on to a two lane road, the east side trees surrounded them. Besides a few homes here and there being miles apart, the destroyed bay quickly went out of view. Through the thick wood and a small slope, Metlocks place was just ahead. Smoke leaked its way out of the chimney.

The plot of land before them was empty. Water poured off the sign above the shop the letters a bright orange. One large truck, the size of a semi was locked into side. The rain coming down a little harder now. Tobias took one of the bronze door handles shaped as fish, a giant old fashioned black board hang above bar. Stools with a little wear glimmer with dust from the lights in room. Inside was all wood. On the walls hung various pictures of food, people and maps of the world. Onyx trotted in, wet paws clanking off the wood. He shook the rain off him. Droplets of rain merged with the dust as it hit the floor.

Lydon went up to one picture off to the right side and gave up a smile. It was all of them, about fifteen years younger.

“Hey Metlock! Are you here?” Tobias yelled out.

From behind a pair of chain curtains one hand pushed them aside, the dangling noise echoing on.

“You still look awful as ever.” Tobias said.

“Same to you. Looks like you crawled out the backside of a turtle backed up for two weeks.” Metlock replied, laughing.

“Your eyes are red. Seems you have adapted the posture of a drunk. It suits you.”

Tobias reached out and gave him a pat on the back. Metlock did the same with his one arm.

“Lydon and Maxwell! Long time no see.” Metlock said. He turned and walked back behind the counter, his face beaming.

“Well considering the rare sight, I assume you all aren't in here for a meal and drink.”

The three took their seats on the stools and looked up at the menu.

“You're right. It is absolute insanity for us out there.” Tobias said.

“Are you guys still fighting against Grayland and the Empyerals? Or have you up and gone and made new enemies?” Metlock

“I would say a little of everything honestly.” Lydon said.

“Of course, the right way. A big old mess. Tell me about it once I get the food fired up.” He said disappearing behind the curtains. Five minutes went by, and now it smelled good. The scent of barbeque was really hitting Lydon. Who was tapping his fork on the counter. He came back out and set everyone up with some drinks.

“Alright let's hear what you got.” Metlock said.

“Have you seen or heard the news about Archveil having activity?” Maxwell asked.

“Yes of course. You told me about your little spat between them ages ago.” Maxwell let out a long sigh and began to tell him about the events that were going on.

Metlock had his back leaned against the counter. Maxwell's hoarse voice filled in the silence as he filled him in. Outside the wind was picking up. Rain pattered against the wooden shack. Metlock listened and put his arm across his stomach. He wore a red robe, his long black hair down on his chest.

They all trusted Metlock so having any information leaked out was not going to be a problem. Before all of this happened, he was a normal part of their group.

As Graylands influence was getting larger, some members of the ever growing gray city were relentless. Zealots had come to spread the word of leaving the flesh behind for new frontiers. They promised endless possibilities and infinite life. The life that could be shaped in whatever form that was appeasing. A life uploaded to the digital realm? Sure. Be an all world athlete? Parts for a shuttle to find new life? Everything. The mind would stay intact. As they arrived in Mare Clausum there was massive push back. Large groups of Zealots would take to the streets, even barge into homes to spread the word. They arrived deformed, misshaped, crazed. Their minds were intact all right. Their newfound purpose being boundless drove them to a point of extreme arrogance. There was no leader for an organized group for resistors. To combat this it was the whole of Mare Clausum. After a week of relentless pressure, one of the zealots had snapped. They had killed families in their homes and shaped them to be a part of their future. At the entrance of eastern Clausum Metlock lost his arm. Back then and to this day, the group scarcely knew how to fight. Even more so against a force that is as brutal and violent as our earliest ancestors.

Metlock rubbed his shoulder, trying not to recall his phantom limb.

“I know I just have one arm these days. If you all need any help though just say the word. Can still shoot or use some explosives.”

“Still have an urge to get some action in?” Lydon asked and the response was predictable.

“Of course.” Metlock said. He went over and gave Onyx some love.

“Nice to see you boy. If I had the energy I used to, I would steal you away. You and I could go charge in. Right to the source. If it was the wrong spot, well we just don't count that.” He then went and took a quick glance through one of the windows. The rain coming down steadily.

“Though it has really been peaceful here. Can't complain. Got my shop, still go out and see what's going on in this crazy world.” Metlock said.

Aromas of the food they ordered began filling the room. That was the sign it was done. On queue, Metlock went behind the curtains again. Rolling it out on a large table. He gave them their food. Lydon was going to town on his. Before the others got situated.

“It's not going to get up and leave my home Lydon, take your time.” Metlock said.

When Lydon got a chance to speak between his bites. They quietly ate and the wind continued to add to the noise.

“I hate to ask you again since the last time I saw you. But would you still like some kind of prosthetic arm?” Lydon asked.

Metlock lifted his sleeve up, revealing the empty space to his shoulder socket. He had a little bit of shoulder just above his armpit. It had healed up well after all this time. Lydon winced at the sight. Never an easy sight.

“No thanks Lydon. It will serve as a reminder for people. Have gotten used to it for a long time now.”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Gently, he rolled the sleeve back down over his left shoulder. Everyone had finished eating and he swiftly grabbed the plates and rolled them into the back. Maxwell yawned and Lydon followed suit. Tobias tried to keep his in but failed. A sudden, stronger gust of wind shook Metlocks stand.

“Well that was a nice surprise, woke me up a little. Did not see any wind on the radar today.” Lydon said.

“No kidding. Thanks for the meal Metlock. I will give you a holler if we need any more help.” Maxwell said.

He stood up from the stool slowly. His head tilted forward as his feet tried to keep him up.

“I will be on standby, sir.” Metlock said.

“It was good to see you again, Metlock!” Tobias said. He lightly shook Onyx’s head to wake him.

“Of course, of course. I will see you guys out. As before, do come anytime you want.”

As the fish handle turned the sound of rain graced their ears. Along with the sound of flapping wings. At first it was hard to tell, but a dozen or more giant birds had been idle outside. Metlock came out last and looked dumbfounded.

“Hey, you guys, scram! You will not be getting any scraps.” He shouted at them, waving his hand around.

Something was clearly off with these animals. They watched in the dark of night. As the silhouettes of the men retracted in their dark black pupils.

“Have you ever had anything like this happen before? A party of birds outside your front door at the dead of night?” Lydon asked, shielding his face from the wind and rain.

“Sure haven’t! Have had small critters and such but not these guys.” Metlock said.

One of them moved closer into the light. It was mostly black besides its feathers. They had been a silver and white color. A patch of skin on its chest a dirty bronze. Long claws on both its skinny feet that matched its chest color. Its round head with black eyes forming out the rest of it.

Lydon yelled over the top of the rain and wind. “Has anyone ever seen one of these before?”

No one spoke. Tobias took a few steps closer squinting into the dark. He had never seen such a creature.

Another visitor from Archveil, no doubt. Why here? We just had our first destructive experience with one. Why do they seem to be following us? Tobias thought. He felt his waist to see if the baton was still there. It was luckily still there. These creatures did not feel threatening to him. More like a band of crows looking for a meal.

Metlock jumped back inside. Between the orange lights and the rain. It made the animals come into vision. Blurry from the rain and the light. As fast as he left, Metlock came back out holding a long gun. Aiming at one of the birds heads as they crept closer.

“Well Maxwell, they do not have red eyes right now.” Metlock said calmly.

That gave Maxwell a sense of calm. Stupid birds. Please fly away now. He thought. None of them had made any sound, just looking. As the stare down continued, some of them began flying back into the dark. As more flew away only one remained.

Veins grew larger as knuckles tensed on their weapons. Everyone held their breath in anticipation. Lydon gulped as he took a step back.

“Hey you! Thanks for coming but the reunion is over. We don’t have any extras to give you.” Tobias called out to it.

The words had caught its attention, as it turned its head to Tobias curiously. Maxwell then took a few steps getting closer. It quickly turned its head and he froze in his tracks. The curious black pupils faded to white. The iris turned red. It loud out a disgusting vulture-like screech mixed with a grinding metallic sound. It opened its long beak and long tongues wriggled their way out. Standing taller than all of them. It folded its wings and speared itself at Maxwell.

Without hesitation a loud CRACK! Rang through the air. Everyone held their ears except for Metlock, who took the shot. Straight through its head it crashed into the mud. Maxwell retreated back to the door. It rolled around trying to get back up. Screeches filled the air as it tried to find its balance. It bleed a mixture of colors from the wound that passed through its circular head. While on its back Metlock walked up and shot another round through its chest. It had finally stopped flailing around.

“First shot was pretty good, may need a little more practice. Moved a little too much for my liking.” Metlock said. A wide grin on his face. As he poked the body with the barrel of the gun.

“Good thing the other ones did not come back.” Lydon said moving to get a closer look at it.

“You alright there Maxwell?” Tobias called out.

Maxwell gave him a thumbs up. Without his baton, he looped his fingers through his pant pockets and approached cautiously.

Lydon gave it a swift kick at one of its wings.

“That—” Lydon swiftly got knocked over. Parts of its wings had turned red and it sent Tobias and Metlock both on their backs as it regained its posture.

Bronze claws pushed down on his Tobias chest. Instantly it felt like being crushed. As if a car tire had rolled up on him. His vision began to fade. He saw Onyx trying to circle and attack the beast.

“Stay back boy!” He yelled with what remaining strength he had.

It brought its head closer to his. Eyes full of fury behind the red eyes. The long tongues residing inside its mouth came out. Quickly they wrapped around his face. The mouth of the beast opened wider as its saliva poured on him. The entire beak was coming unhinged.

Lydon and Maxwell charged at it. Before he could get there, Lydon felt claws dig into his shoulders. His feet had left the ground, as another had swooped down. Like an owl in the night hunting its prey.

“Aghh!” Lydon yelled. Squirming and kicking he set himself free of the claws. Skin being torn out as he hit the ground.

Maxwell shoulder lowered, plowed into the beast. Pain ricocheted through his frame and he was sent flying back into the mud.

With the creature distracted, Metlock got up and jammed the barrel of his gun into its mouth. Before the tongues could pull him inside its mouth, Metlock emptied the gun through its head. Shots rang out as the pressure lifted from Tobias chest. Feathers cut through the air and made contact with Metlock. He was sent flying back towards his shack. It marched its way over to Metlock who was shriveled up in pain. The comfortable nightwear of his red robe, torn and covered in dirt.

Tobias crawled a bit to where the gun fell. No time to stop and check how much ammo was left. He just started firing from his stomach. Bullets pierced its feathers and another shot went through its head. With powerful flaps, it took to the air. Diving at Tobias, who took a couple more shots, as it flew into the dark.

“Everyone all right?” Tobias called out. He held his stomach and tried getting to his feet. Instead he just took a knee in the rain soaked ground. Dirt parted ways as he sunk slightly to the soil giving way.

“I..Yea I’m good, might just stay right here.” Lydon said. On his back, Lydon let the rain wash over his wounds.

“I think you guys are going to need all the help you can get.” Metlock winced and forced himself up.

“That would be much appreciated.” Maxwell said. Who laid on his back unmoving, eyes closed.

Tobias and Metlock both went over and pulled Lydon up carefully. Under the cover of rain they all slouched and sat backs against the wall. No one spoke for what seemed to be an hour.

Tobias held out his holoframe. It kept sliding out of his fingers. Pain kept him from doing anything properly. Any attempt to reach the CGA or emergency service at this time was futile. They all needed some medical attention. However what had just happened not, but a few hours ago made any attempt pointless.

“Emergency service is currently busy. All stations and personnel are currently working on the east side of Clausum. Please try again later, or go to the nearest facility for help.” The holoframe said aloud. Tobias did not have the energy to read.

“I am going to prepare some things. Honestly you all should just crash here for the night.” Metlock said. I will be back in a moment. Going to get another few guns and some ammo. In case they come back.”

“Alright. Got any medical supplies? Going to help Lydon here.” Tobias said.

“Yes, top left corner near the black board.” Metlock said.

Tobias had not experienced this much pain before. Maxwell had already drifted off to sleep.

Tobias shakily got to his knees and went inside to gather supplies. He took some gauze, water and some rags. Back outside, Lydon was asleep on his side. Blood from his shoulders stained the wood. Tobias got him to wake up, and place himself against the shack. He poured water over the wounds and wrapped gauze around his deep cuts.

This is getting out of hand fast. Cant have all of us be bloody and broken. At this rate, the next time something happens, may be the last for one of us. Tobias thought as he patched Lydon up.

“Tomorrow, or whenever I get up, I will start making weapons and armor at Ballistic. Might even go ahead and get my upper torso upgraded. Would rather never feel pain like again.” Lydon said. His shoulders radiating in pain.

We may need to do something drastic. To stand a chance. The creatures from Archveil are way too much for us. Getting our bodies replaced may be the only solution. He thought. Hands on his chest, which burned in pain.