Chapter 39 – The Brave Hearts (2)

There were sizzling noises everywhere. There were crackling sounds as the flames bursts and char the deck of the ship. The ship was turned into a tower of flames. Above this tower of flame was the balloon that kept the warship afloat. The embers flew making the other ships catch fire. Oddly, the mission of the five who attacked this armada of flying ships succeeded. Not every ship was destroyed, but their reduced numbers made everyone down below have a wide breathing room for an offensive.

The three brave hearts who attacked the main ship huffed badly. The Captain, Archie, was carrying Cassia behind his back. Near him was him who was covering their backs sternly, shielding them from any soldiers that were able to step on the platforms.

They were inside the airship. He could see a glimpse of the air balloon piloted by Joshua in the distance. He was sweating. There were burns on his tunic as he tries to gather the air that he could inhale. The heat was continuously exhausting their air supply. He was tired. His body was so fatigued due to what he just went through. But how can he complain when Archie was carrying Cassia all the time? He doubled his burden and yet here he was, standing near him, huffing, gathering all his strength to save the life of one feisty soldier.

She was crying, sobbing, begging him to let go. He could not allow that, Archie didn’t let her sacrifice herself. She tried to but Archie tied him, and her taking the rope off means that he will surely suffer misfortune too. He was astonished by this behavior. It was extraordinary, it was amazing that a Proctor, who was just there at the right time made through this place.

He too was amazed by what he was doing. He has been following the Captain and but he was now here acting like some damned Hero. He would have died if he didn’t follow the Captain. He was sure that if he was alone here. He would have died by either fire or bullet.

“Damn it...it’s getting hot here. The air is getting thinner. We need to find a way out of here!”

“Archie...please just let me go,” Cassia was a mess.

“No. I am not leaving you behind.”

“But...”

“Just let me think Cassia!” shouted Archie. He looked around and then saw a hole that was open. He could see some blue on that hole. “Maybe we can get out of there!”

He looked at where he was looking at. “I can’t jump,” he said. “My chutes gone and I’ll fall to death.”

Archie grimaced. “Then what can we do?” He looked at the hole before taking a glance at the canister on Cassia’s belt.

“That Canister!” he shouted, taking the belt. “Maybe we can draw Joshua out there! The color of the smoke should!”

“We don’t if he will,” he said, finally showing pessimism.

“No! We just have to trust in Joshua! Do we have any choice here?”

He shook his head. “Then let’s do this.”

“Hah!” Archie started to run there. “I am glad that you’re here with us brother!”

“Me too,” he grinned madly.

The three carefully crossed the fallen beams and unstable platforms. He took point while Archie was taking Cassia with him. There were corners, and the gaps between each jump to reach the stable platforms. He was careful but there smokes around them that it was hard to just aim. The ship was swaying, and he could feel that there was, even more, rasps sounds happening.

They crossed this burning platform. There was an obvious pain on Archie’s face but he along with him endured. They manage to finally reach a straight path that could lead them throughout of the ship. There was a faint smile on Archie’s face, still hoping that the smoke bomb will work. He too had this smile but it vanished as he heard loud grunts coming from behind them.

“ENEMIES ARE BEHIND US ARCHIE!” he turned his back and pointed at the rear. Archie stopped his legs, he looked at him and said. “What are you doing? Let’s go!”

“There’s a lot of them Archie!” shouted him. “Throw the smoke and I’ll try to hold them off for now!”

“Shit!” shouted Archie. “Take this rifle! You’ll need it more than me!”

“Thanks!” He caught the rifle. He put his cheek on the butt and aimed straight at the place where the footsteps were. He could hear Archie running to their escape. He could hear the enemy and when he saw a bit of their body appear. He pulled the trigger of the rifle. The man who appeared got his sides torn. His friend pulled him back as they tried to shoot at him. Of course, they didn’t expect him to pull the trigger again and shoot another bullet. Three more rounds came out of the rifle. It hit two while the other took cover, fearing that they’ll be hit the moment they show their body to him.

“Come on you fucks!” he taunted.

The enemy soldiers didn’t move. He found it unusual and by the time he knew their intentions. They already were near to Archie who was waving his hands down, which he assumed to Joshua who saw the smoke. He was oblivious to the danger behind him. He wasn’t even paying attention!

“ARCHIE!” shouted him, running while dodging the debris and embers falling on top of him. Archie took notice of his shout. He was able to catch glimpse of the attackers and uses the rifle on him to shoot. The soldier fell on his knees, he then uses the butt of the rifle to smack the soldier dead. He could hear more people coming from their direction. He noticed that this was the only place where the air was coming in.

“We need to go brother!” shouted Archie, ready to jump. “Come on now! Let’s go!”

“Okay...” he said slowly.

Archie turned towards the open path. He looked down and saw Joshua readying to catch them. Nodding his head, he turned to inform him but what he saw made his eyes wide open. Behind him were a group of soldiers, and Archie witnessed him, kick him in the torso. He felt pain. He said.

“Godspeed Brother, it was an honor fighting by your side.”

Gravity took hold of Archie and Cassia’s weight. In their eyes clearly reflected the man who fought with them, the man whose name they didn’t even know! He was wounded. Surrounded. But yet that man turned his back on them, knowing that he’ll be facing the soldiers alone.