Chapter 63 – The Lost Shiva (4)

The sparrows encircled the air balloon that they were riding. The Templars immediately acted and engaged the sparrows. Their aim was off due to the trembling air balloon. But they were no amateurs and armed with the new rifles. They were able to shoot down the sparrows trying to attack. Their actions were precise. It was coordinated and practiced.

“Hold your fire, men!” the Commander clenched his right hand up. “Steady your aim...Fire now!”

The barrels of the rifles spurt out iron balls that penetrated the bodies of the sparrows. Robotically, the Templars rotated the lever of the rifle, took aim and again fired.

“Damn mutants. It seems like this place is indeed crawling with filth.”

“Mutants?” asked Archie in a low voice. “Are there dire monsters in this place?”

The Commander glared at Archie coldly. “You saw the mutated sparrows, didn’t you? Those are horned sparrows. And they are mutants.”

The air balloon shook. The Commander grabbed the tightened rope that holds the balloon together. He continued. “And it looks this place is crawling with them.”

“Then should we land?” asked Archie.

“No, too many trees here,” said the pilot who overheard Archie. “There’s a clearing over there, it would do as a landing zone for us. Is that okay Commander?”

“Carry on, I trust your judgment.”

“Thank you, Commander. Hold on tight!”

The pilot took control of the air balloon. It glided down to the clearing where it then landed rather roughly. The Templars and the others dismounted the air balloon. The Pilot anchored the air balloon and slowly deflated the balloon. The Commander walked towards the center of the clearing. He cleared his throat as he looked at everyone.

“Steadfast men, at ease and listen well.”

The Templars stopped moving. They straightened their backs and perked their ears. Archie folded his arms, he leaned back as he listened along with Cassia.

“As you can see the place is crawling with mutants and filth. We expected this area to be isolated. But to think that it would be infested with mutants and dire monsters. Men, I would like to remove the filth that stains this wonderful place. But we have a mission to do. His Holiness has given us his blessing and in the name of God we shall take whatever is inside that ruin and repossessed it for the greater good.”

Archie frowned at that. He looked at the Templars. They were egged on as they raised their chins up mightily. Cassia poked Archie’s side. “Do you think we’ll leave this place alive? Fanatical Knights and Mutants are a dangerous combination, Archie.”

“I know. But it is too late to back out now. We’ve come this far, so might as well follow them. Besides, I am worried about what’s inside the ruins. And if anything, the Warlord should know what is inside it. At least that way Avilla’s safety can be assured.”

Archie said with a frown on his face. He has no idea what he will find there. But right now he was feeling anxious. He was feeling worried that the situation was getting more dangerous.

“Come on me, rest up and reload. We’ll move after a few minutes. You two over there!” shouted the Commander. “Rest up, there’s a lot to trek.”

Archie and Cassia nodded. They rested near the Templars and reloaded their weapons. They also took some of the bandoliers offered to them. The air balloon carried five small crates of ammunition. There were overall twenty people that boarded, and the five crates were carried by the Templars while the others carried ration. Archie and Cassia had prepared their own ration, but they didn’t have that much ammunition so they were grateful for the bandoliers.

The wind blew through the forest. The leaves fell down, making the Commander nod his head. “Let’s go, time to move. We don’t need to stay here. And brother, go and report what we have witnessed here. Return after five days, and bring some brothers to purge this land of filth.”

“Yes, Commander! I shall report to the Justicar once I returned,” The pilot saluted.

“Good, may God bless your flight and be safe brother.”

The pilot nodded his head. The Commander turned to his Templars and marched in formation to the forest. Archie and Cassia followed behind them, meeting tall trees, stepping on fallen leaves as they walk inside. The forest was rather scenic. There were small animals crawling around. There were also mutants who would appear out of nowhere. Black deer’s that have red eyes were seen by the company. Usually, deer’s are easy to scare but the deer that the company met was aggressive. They had to kill the deer.

The company continued on. They arrived in a winding narrow tree-lined path which led them to this concealed area. The company was rather perplexed about the place. Luckily, they didn’t get lost and was able to exit the path and trek through this stepped hill that led them to a huge area filled with tall grasses. The company moved gingerly through the area. Their eyes were peeled as they skulk around the tall grasses. There were movements and one of the Templar’s shot a two-headed beetle in the head. To make sure that the beetle was dead. The Templar beheaded it and made use of the blood of the beetle to conceal the company’s scent. The Templar carried the beetle’s head for a while until the company exited out of the tall grasses.

The company then found itself in an isolated place. Unlike the paths they crossed, the area that they arrived to was misty. The visibility was rather poor. Forcing the Templars to lit a lamp and trudge through this misty area. The passing through this are irritated, Archie. But he never let his guard down.

Then, the company finally arrived in the place where the ruins should be. The Commander wanted to secure the area first so he made everyone search. The area was desolated. There were signs of people around the area, but they either forget or abandon their belongings

It took awhile but after clearing the area. The company moved inside the entrance of the ruins and there they saw something that made their eyes go wide.