“Contact, second bridge!”

“Roger. Identify specifics.”

“Uhmm… Six—no, seven figures, wearing identical uniforms. Sir, they don’t seem to be rioters.”

“Hold. Must be external forces. Or spies. Pierre notified that we shall expect some form of the two.”

“Understood. Trailing them now.”

The smoke blotted out most of the sun. As they neared the center of the bridge, D-7 was suddenly hailed.

“You’re crossing the Leighmann border! Show us your hands, identify yourselves!”

“Are they delusional?” Enna said as they slowly lifted their hands. “The city has a border?”

“Pierre must’ve fucked up their minds, making these people think of whatever begs him fancy,” Gen replied.

“That’s troubling. He also must’ve focused only on the Leighmanns. Who needs to waste their ability to control the poor when you can turn the powerful against them?” Said Sora.

“I said, identify yourselves!”

“We’re Vassal United!” Enna yelled. “You seem to have caused quite a ruckus here, didn’t ya?”

“Sir! They’re Vassal United!” A man let out a rather enthusiastic, yet confusing alarm that raised D-7’s eyebrows. After a while, their squad leader replied.

“Vassal United… You’re here to meddle with our city, huh?” he barked, quite an immature reaction for a squad leader.

“You’re at fault, big guy! That leader of yours… Pierre, was it?”

When Enna called out her name, the guards suddenly poised an imposing stance against D-7. In unison, they looked as if to ready fire.

“Shit… You pissed them off?” Sora cursed.

“Pierre said you bunch are dangerous to Reiss!”

“Ho? How come?”

He paused, grasping at his controlled mind for a sound reply. Instead, he fumed, annoyed at the sly, sultry woman’s remarks.

“Tch!”

“Seems like you don’t know anything~”

“Pierre is smart, but he turned these people into mindless lapdogs,” Gris said, chuckling. Readying the small gem on his hand, he smiled.

“Give the signal, captain.”

They inched closer and closer to the blockade until they were a few meters away from the steel barricades, and the line of guards defending it. They seemed to have not noticed, however, as they only stood there, pointing their guns at D-7.

“Mido. After Gris throws the gem and it activates, incinerate them.” Fein ordered.

“Huh? But captain—”

“Don’t worry. We just need cover.”

Mido understood what needs to be done. In the back of his head, he readied his ability.

“You will only be a strain, a nuisance, to this operation, outsiders.” The squad leader said the deciding word.

“You’re better off eliminated.”

‘You said it yourself.’ Gris threw his gem into the air and went unnoticed by the guards until it was homed in the middle of the blockade.

Chromatic Seal: Cluster, flash-bang.

The gem broke into pieces, and turned into wisp-like emissive, erratically dancing like the sparks from thermite, but unaffected by gravity. Perplexed, the guards looked at the new source of lights just above them. The dozens of wisps exponentially increased in luminosity, burning bright like a bomb was about to explode.

Just before it could happen, however, Gris alerted his colleagues.

“Close your eyes!”

Gris’ bomb exploded into flashes of light, blinding and stunning the guards repeatedly, as the lights bombarded them in flashes and banshee-like shrieks without pause. They groaned from the pain as the cacophony from the sound of the shrieking explosions muddled their ears.

“Mido, now!”

Mido concentrated. He pulled out the ‘story’ he meditated on and put it front-face.

Most dangers are countered,

By a shield, as it is was made to do.

But what if the shield does not only bash,

But also burn?

What would you feel, then?

If you’re caged in pillars that churn?

A ball of pure golden flame formed in Mido’s right hand. Remembering his intuition, he jabbed the flame into the ground, and it crawled like cracks on the surface of the bridge, from Mido’s hand to the barricade.

Firis: Scorching Curtain.

The men were preoccupied. Dazed. Confused. For what’s more to come, they’re already broken. A pillar of flame rose from the cracks, concentrating on their front, blocking their vision of D-7. The flames gave way to a gap. It had resistance from the guards, but they were too scared to go even near the flames.

“Push through!” Fein yelled as the others went through the gap and into the barricades, facing the stunned guards. The ones who regained consciousness were met by either Fein’s lightning, Gen’s rifle, Gris’ armaments, or Mido’s flame.

As they neared the entrance to the other side, they were suddenly stopped by a plethora of two-dozen guards in front of them.

“Luckily these guys came around fast.” The squad leader chuckled.

“Captain. We’re surrounded.” Sora alarmed.

“I can’t do the same trick twice. Shit.” Gris cursed, as he held the grip of his rifle tight.

The guards they stunned behind quickly formed a perimeter around D-7. Now, the tables have turned against them. What separated them from their enemy were the very blockades they deemed to cross. They knew it: they can’t withstand this much gunfire.

“That plan did not end well…” Wiz whimpered, as she hid behind the others. She wielded a pistol, but not much in the way of combatting the heavily-armed guards in front of her.

Meanwhile, Mido’s pillar of flame raged on the bridge’s landing. Suddenly, an idea came to mind, just as Sora inquired it to him.

“Mido. That pillar. Can you redirect it to these people?”

“I can’t control that flame.” Mido hesitated. “These people might be burned alive.”

“To hell with them, then!” Gen yelled. “We’re not getting out of here without a scratch either way!”

It’s true. These guards are relentless, unfazed by reason, attached to Pierre by whatever ideas he planted into these people’s minds. Mido loathed killing, but when it comes to protecting the people, he stood by all this time, he had to break free from this way of preservation.

For once, he must vent out the flames.

‘Come!’ He ushered, as the pillar he spawned swirled into place. With a tugging motion that required almost all of his body to exert force, Mido strained to bring down the pillar against their assailants. A wave of fire rushed down to the guards around them, superheated air amplifying its effects. The flame ebbed and bloated as it engulfed their enemies, who wailed from the sheer heat that cooked them whole.

The brunt of the attack loomed down D-7 like a dome, threatening to consume them if Mido cannot control his ability.

“Mido! The fire!” Everyone exclaimed as they braced for a fiery impact.

Gen’s shield coalesced in time to protect them from the gnawing flames.

“Mido!” Wiz squealed as she nudged the kneeling man, fist searing. “Stop it! It’s all over!”

“I’m… trying to!” His nerves jutted out into his skin. He yelled as if tons and tons of weight were put down on his back, the gravity pulling him down. Outside the shield, the flames scorched the building faces and metal as it flowed like molten lava.

“Aagh! If I can just--!” He slowly stood up, and with a heavy lifting motion, dispersed the firestorm into the sky, joining the collecting smoke that covered most of their vision.

One by one, D-7 regained their foothold. What was left unburnt was the ground they stood on: the buildings were covered dark in soot, the edges of the metal barricades were bent and melted parts dripping like mercury, and the harrowing, smoking piles of corpses crossed their eyes. They were still in their suits, but there was no life left in them.

What was left were their morbid, charred bodies.

D-7 was taken aback at how powerful Mido’s new variation of ability is. To their eyes, this carnage made him the one he loathed: The one who destroyed Mido, his town. Same state, same destruction, same morbidity.

“Captain… I couldn’t… I apologize.” Mido groaned as his body felt heavy. Wiz and Gen caught him in time as they settled on an area shielded from the firestorm. The others tended to him as he was panting, exhausted of both energy and hydration.

“Mido… That level of destruction. How did you…” Sora was skeptical. The possibility that they dismissed so long ago came back into view. Before he could continue his notions, Gris pulled him out.

“Sora! I know what you’re thinking, and I felt that too. But please, we’ve dealt with it already. Mido is not the arson of his town.”

“That’s still a possibility, Gris. We can’t be too careful…”

“Sure, even I can’t deny it… But those flames are golden. What destroyed that town was the color of evil.”

Eventually, Sora sighed. “Alright, fine. I’ll let this go. For now.”

“He’s already proven himself, Sora. Don’t circle around things we still are unsure of.”

“Mido! Take this water!” Wiz offered him a canteen, to which he gulped vigorously. However, Mido succumbed to the tonal shock, and no amount of hydration can immediately invigorate it.

She was about to use her ability and incantation when Mido pushed her hand away shakingly.

“Wiz… Not again. I’m fine. I promise.”

“S-sure?” Wiz stuttered, and from the looks of it, was about to cry.

“Yeah… I just need some rest…”

“Oh… Mi….do.”

Gen yanked her out from Mido and helped her put herself together.

Slapping her cheeks, he scolded her. “You baby. Mido will be fine. Just do as he says, and not use your ability that can risk your health again.”

“I… Mhmm.” She leaned on Gen’s shoulder, as the latter touched her back to calm her.

“Huh. Stop crying over ridiculous things, damn it.”

“Mido. Can you move?” Fein approached him.

Mido pulled himself of out his daze and tried to stand up. With the help of Enna, he successfully stood by himself.

“…I can.”

“You’re in a sorry state after that ability of yours. Still, it saved the team. Good job.”

“But…” He leaned to see the armored corpses lain around them. “These people. I killed them.”

“And so?” Fein rebutted. “Remember: This line of work does not relent. No matter how sympathetic you can be, no matter what angle you view of this world, people will always strive to kill you. Because it’s a given, we are dangerous. Infectious, as they say.”

“They were just controlled, captain. They didn’t know…”

Fein tapped Mido’s chest. “This is a cruel world. We, D-7, and the other groups, also loathe killing. But it’s how we move on in Alto. Death only comes as an afterthought to most, and you should steel yourself if you want to survive.”

Mido did not dare say a word. He took one last glance at the people he killed in agonizing pain and swallowed his fear.

But he could not. It came back. The post-guilt. The anxiety. He did not realize it, but he only stared at the carnage he created.

“Mido.” He felt a slight tug on his sleeve. It was Wiz.

“I’m fine, Wiz. Don’t worry.” He tried to smile, but the pain prevented him.

“I’ll be at your side, okay? So, don’t doubt yourself.”

“Mmm.”

Dusk was starting to loom in the city. Managing to convince the guards to open the gates, D-7 finally reached their destination. Vassal’s refuge.

“Guys… guys?!” A familiar voice squealed in the distance.

“Vivace!” Enna replied, and they faced each other. Peram came into view moments later.

“I knew you’d come back!” She exclaimed.

“We did, and you sure kept those medals,” Fein commented, as the two touched the snowflake medallions Fein gave to them.

“Yep. It’s good to have you back, captain.” Peram smiled and shook hands.

“You sure secured the place tightly. I guess the Vassals here are more organized than I’ve thought.” Gris chuckled as he scanned the buildings around them. It was like a complex: A U-shaped building with several floors dominated the center, acting as the temporary housing for the Vassals, as the others that served as garrisons were boarded up and sealed to the outside, along with some openings that were plugged in with both stolen and makeshift barricades. People were strewn about, looking from balconies and tables as they were skeptical of the dark-uniformed, imposing Vassal United officers that visited them.

The area was buried beneath the transforming concrete jungle that is the Leighmann district, enough that they were able to feign potential full-on assaults from their enemies.

“We can’t get out of here. We might be Vassals, captain, but many of these are young people. They have not honed their abilities yet.” Peram sternly explained.

“Mi-do?” Vivace leaned, and saw Mido at the back, hugged tightly by Wiz on his side, weakly standing.

“Peram! Look at Mido!” She pointed, and as a natural reaction, everyone looked.

“What… happened to you?” Peram was worried. Mido’s veins had slightly dark tinges. His amber eyes were bloodshot. His mouth, parched and pale. He immediately called for someone as Vivace escorted them to seats. A while later, after giving Mido more water, a Vassal robed in a lab gown approached them. She immediately checked up Mido from Peram’s nod.

“Heavy tonal strain. Did you use too much of your ability?” She asked, to which Mido only nodded.

“*sigh* As I suspected. Leaving this untreated could cause a coma. Worse, physical drain, which can lead to… We have Cleansers in here, so, should I treat him, Peram?”

“Obviously. And quickly. I have favor with these people.”

“Right. Bring a stretcher!”

They transported Mido to their infirmary. The rest of the D-7 just sat there. Now that they arrived at this refuge, they have not expected that the Vassals holed up in here were not capable of fighting.

“What happened to Mido?” Vivace asked as she hopped on one of the benches.

“We came across a blockade on the riverbank. Mido had to use his ability to eliminate them, and it seemed like he used too much of it.” Enna explained.

“That boy’s flame is powerful…” He looked at the arm Mido chained. It was healed, but he still felt it searing his skin. “It’s no wonder that he rapidly exhausts his capacity.”

“Peram. Do you have people that can fight?” Fein immediately posed the question that itched his head. Peram was taken aback.

“We’re barely holding on, captain. That blockade you destroyed… It held us back long enough, so you have our thanks. Regroup with the others is now possible.” He paused, taking in a deep breath before continuing.

“But we simply cannot afford to lose more troops to this foothold. Not until we reconnect with everyone else.”

“Where are they, then?”

“We ran back as the Leighmanns overwhelmed most of the slums. Their forces had holes in them, so we garrisoned on several areas in their district. We, unfortunately, had to use the riots as a distraction. The rest of our group may have settled a few more blocks away from here, but what I heard from the scouts was that security’s tighter when you reach the central plaza.”

“A lot happened in just days, sir Fein.” Vivace sighed. “Reiss is destroying itself.”

“All thanks to that scumbag Pierre.” Gen scoffed.

Peram apologized. “I’m sorry, captain. I know we have to repay your kindness, but I can’t leave these people undefended.”

“It’s alright. These people’s lives are important.” Fein considered. “We’ll handle this, Peram. Just be safe.”

“Thank you again, captain…” said Peram.

They invited themselves to the small community. As the group observed, the more they realized that these people do need to rely on strong people. People like Peram and Vivace, who volunteered to protect them as their burst of bravery.

D-7 entered a makeshift canteen as they were invited by the two to eat first. Floodlights lit up the ground floor of the building. Dusk is settling, and the city was starting to fall into darkness. They ate what they were offered. It was an assortment of a menu: rations, meals, snacks, even sweets.

“We had to scavenge for food here in the district. It sure is a change of good diet, even though we’re in the middle of a riot.” Peram commented, slurping on a heated soup. Gris glanced at the wooden counter and saw a variety of opened cans.

“Say, Peram? What happened that started all of this riot?” Gris asked.

Peram visibly pondered for a moment. “I honestly could not remember. Right after you left, tensions began to rise. The Leighmanns were a rowdy bunch, but they eventually snapped.”

“Voluntarily. By someone. Pierre.” Vivace mentioned as she cleaned some of the gunk at the table they were sitting at.

“The next thing we know, people from two sides rioted against each other. Surprisingly, in the first few hours, the guards gradually fell, as if they were exhausted zombies carrying orders around. That is why the rioters from the slums did more damage than the Leighmanns.”

“I see…” Fein touched his chin.

“It seems like Pierre’s ability gradually decreases in potency when used in high density. Maybe that is why the people he controls are exhausted easier: because his ability cannot bear the strain of that many people, so it turns to eat away the targets’ energy instead…” Sora detailed.

“Good thinking.” Gen applauded. “So, as long as the Leighmann troops are spread apart, Pierre cannot move them around as much, or risk exhaustion.”

“That, or he is dumb enough to realize,” Enna said. “Where could his whereabouts be, then?”

“Long-range abilities like his need a supposed radius from the Vassal to be effective… That means, if he wants to control the Leighmann troops, he needs to be at the center, which brings us to the Plaza of Reiss. Right in the middle of the city.” Sora explained.

“It’s not an easy trek,” Gris added. “Defenses must be heavily set up there, and we have three more problems: Woodcarver, the ‘lady’, and the mercenaries.”

Everyone sighed. It sure was heavy for their shoulders. If only the other groups were able to help them. D-7 is single-handedly conquering a city in the middle of a mass riot…

“Oh, Wiz? How’s Mido?” Gris asked as the girl went up to their table.

“Gladly, he’s fine. I assisted with his healing.”

“Oi. Did you use yourself again?” Gen scowled, but Wiz disagreed.

“No. I kept my promise, didn’t I?”

Sora scoffed silently.

“But I think he won’t be fighting any time soon. He’s still exhausted.”

“Suppose we leave Mido here? His recovery is at utmost as of now.” Sora suggested. The others were about to respond, but Fein took liberty.

“I’d have to agree. Mido would only hurt himself more if he proceeds to fight, and could potentially affect others, in extension.” He droned to Wiz’s head.

“If that is your decision, we’ll take care of him!” Vivace enthusiastically offered.

“…Right. Mido would only burden himself if he will come with us.” Wiz sighed. “Let’s let him rest. At least, for a while.”

“Good. I’ll notify him if he wakes up—”

The building was rocked by an explosion outside their makeshift walls. Another one reverbed and was concluded by sharp torrents of wind that whizzed past most of the canteen.

“An attack?! They sure are sharp…” Peram exclaimed and alerted everyone to hide and retaliate.

“Everyone, hide! Those who can fight, defend this place!” His ring glowed orange, as Peram activated The Ring.

“Leighmanns. Let’s do this.” Vivace proudly stood up and readied herself.

The entrance was enveloped in the dust as everyone clamored to hide. D-7 readied their arms to battle whoever threatened the safety of this haven.

“D-7! Protect this refuge!”

“Understood, captain!”

Two silhouettes rose from the settling dust ominously.

One tall.

One short.

And they never thought that such firepower can come solely on these people.

“Hai hai~”