A group of people all armed with crossbows surrounded the duo, staring hostilely. William grimaced as he felt a pair of hands roughly twist his arms behind his back and pulled him up to his feet. They pushed him forward towards a blonde tanned man, occasionally poking him with the pointy edges of their weapons.

William surveyed the scene in front of him quickly, but found his eyes locking onto an absurd looking structure. An eight storey shopping mall stood with an awkward slant, almost like it was plucked from the ground and re-planted at that spot. It was barricaded by a concrete wall and isolated by a large trench that circled around it.

“We found these on the boat!” a voice shouted from behind William. He tried to look back but his arm was pressed harder into his back for his insolence. A group of young men walked towards the tanned man, carrying William and Marianne’s backpacks as well as their weapons.

“Is there anything else on it?” the tanned man asked in a low, gruff voice.

“No, there was nothing else.”

He inspected the contents of their bags methodically, his face betraying no emotion. “Anyone who wishes to join us needs to offer an item of our choice. We will keep these.”

“I don’t recall auditioning for your pirate boy band.” William rolled his eyes. “Look, we’re just passing by. We’re not intending to join your settlement.”

The man ignored him, fiddling with a short metal stilt from William’s bag.

“Hey, don’t mess around with my plasma cutter. It’s dange-”

The surrounding people gasped as a short blade made of a glowing substance suddenly appeared, nearly poking his eye out. William sighed. “Ugh laymen… Told you so.”

The blade vanished immediately as the man pressed a button on the side and set it down.

“Even those passing through our base need to offer tribute to our leader. We will be taking all of these,” he stated with a note of finality in his voice, handing over their belongings to another man.

“No… give it back. Give it back! GIVE IT BAAACK!”

The tanned man barely had time to react before a person flew into him, knocking him off his feet.

A primal, almost demonic sounding scream almost split William’s ears.

He stared in shock as a hysterical Marianne kicked and flung the people around her like ragdolls, her eyes filled with rage. An arrow flew through the air straight for her, but she caught it before it connected. She slowly turned her head, staring at the shooter with murderous intent. He dropped his crossbow in fear as the arrow disintegrated almost instantly in a puff of smoke.

Marianne opened her mouth as if to scream, but something much worse came out. Chaos erupted as people screamed, running for their lives from the fire breathing demon they had just provoked.

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William felt the grip on his arms loosen. Seizing his chance, he twisted his body to the side and grabbed his captor by the arm. He tossed him at the tanned man aiming a rifle at Marianne. The man stumbled back in an attempt to dodge the human projectile, but tripped over the backpacks instead. He fell hard on the ground while the unfortunate captor flew harmlessly over his head. William quickly ran forward and kicked the tanned man away from Marianne’s flames, knocking him out cold.

“Enough! We’re not the bad guys here!” William grabbed Marianne.

“How dare they take my things?! How dare they! How dare they…” Marianne struggled, her augmented strength threatening to break free from William’s grip, but he held on firmly. The flames subsided as she gradually calmed down.

“Let’s make a run for it while they’re still panicking.” William hurriedly picked up their belongings.

“Wait. Where’s Masako?”

“Oh right. She hasn’t been here since we- LOOK OUT!”

Marianne whipped her head back, but she was too late. A big piece of metal slammed into her, knocking her off her feet. It bent and wrapped itself around her as if it had a life of its own, rendering her immobile. William tried to run to her, but a thick submarine cable hooked itself around his leg and coiled him like an oversized anaconda. The duo struggled futilely against their restraints as they were lifted into the air by an unknown force.

“Ah. So you’re what was taking my men so long,” a familiar voice said languidly from behind.

William craned his neck against the cables. “Dietrich…?” he muttered in surprise.

“You know this guy?” Marianne asked.

“It’s Mister Dietrich. Let’s maintain some professional courtesy, Doctor Toh.”

William’s eyes narrowed in recognition as his gaze met the sharp green eyes of the man floating down dramatically in front of them. He had not changed much; his blonde hair was still neatly trimmed and his face still surprisingly clean shaved for a man living in post apocalyptic conditions. The only difference was his attire, he had gone from business suits to a sleek leather jacket and matching tactical trousers. That man always had a sense of style.

“Long time no see, Victor. I see you’re keeping up with the times,” William said defiantly. “How’s your new career as a robber?”

“I see you’re still as sarcastic as ever, old partner,” Victor replied, his voice exuding with charisma and arrogance. “You trespassed in my territory and attacked my people.” His voice turned deadly serious in an instant. “Why?”

“Firstly, you pulled in our boat with your power when we only intended to pass through your settlement. And secondly, we merely defended ourselves when your people tried to take our belongings. Am I explaining this right, or should I be hiring a translator? Because your people sure didn’t understand me the first time.”

Victor looked at William for a few seconds, before shifting his gaze to Marianne. “And who is this pretty lady here? I don’t think I quite understand her definition of ‘defending yourselves’.”

“Put me down and I’ll give you a live explanation,” Marianne spat.

“Oooh, so feisty. Unfortunately, you attacked my people and as leader of this place, you will be incarcerated until I decide what to do with you.” Victor turned around to the tanned man who had just regained consciousness. “Alexei, unlock the doors to the underground prison. I will personally be putting them in there.”

Alexei nodded and began ushering the people.

Victor turned back to Marianne, eying her up and down for a few seconds but turned and walked away without saying anything. The restraints holding them levitated close behind. William shot Marianne a worried look which she returned, her eyes spelling out the same thing that was on their minds.

What have we got ourselves into?