Laguna - south-west end - afternoon

Surrounded by two Flame Wraith captains, I gotta ask if my luck is shit or not? The old man from BlackRock is here. Had a feeling he was kicking, but seeing him again doesn’t exactly bode well.

“It has been a while, boy…” His eyes size me up. “You made a vast improvement over these few months. The air you carry is much more refined, as if you had experienced what it meant to fight for your life.”

“You sure talk a lot. Ain’t it past your bedtime, old man?”

Taking him on in a one-on-one fight might be possible. Though the vibe he’s giving off is still creepy. Our fight in the prison wasn’t all there was to him. And with Wildcard here, I don’t think it’s gonna be easy. I don’t like running, but no point in getting killed here. I just gotta hope I can outrun these two.

Right when I’m about to book it, Wildcard jerks his body around to a building behind himself. The door bursts forward. He jumps out over it, avoiding the surprise attack. Whoever broke it charged at it, using it as a battering ram.

“What the–” Wildcard cuts himself off, watching out for the second surprise attack aimed at him. A glint of steel slashes the air, barely missing Wildcard. They follow up with several swift slashes, each one keeping up with his deft movements.

“What the hell is going on?”

In the confusion, my sense goes off, something from behind. I fall to my back, letting whatever was gonna hit me zip past me. Quick son of a bitch! Any later and I would’ve been a goner.

“Nice reaction. Thought I had you for a sec.”

No way…! I know this voice anywhere.

“Almost nailed me there, Cade.”

He faces me, wearing a dirty cape wrapped around his body. Why the hell does he look so cool? You can’t tell me he’s not trying to show off or something like that.

He breaks the tension by flashing me a smile. “Proxy, been a while, huh?”

I loosen my stiff expression, smiling in return. “Yeah, long time no see. How you been, buddy?”

“You know, fine. Heard you guys have been wreaking havoc on the bandits. You planning on hitting them hard like us?”

“You know it. Me and everyone else, we’re gonna lay the smack down on them. Wanna join up with us?”

“Depends. Do you have bandits in your group?”

“Nope.”

A humorous chuckle leaves his mouth. “That’s not right, let me ask it like this: You got any ex-bandits?”

The brief happiness I felt slowly fades as the situation between us escalates.

“Yeah, guess so.”

“Then…”

I said Cade broke the tension, but that’s a lie. I knew how this was gonna go from the moment I heard his voice. But it was nice, just acting like we could have a normal conversation. I’m glad he gave me that chance. Now…

Cade doesn’t waste another second talking, he just throws his daggers at me. Avoiding them is like dodging a fastball, requires a snap decision and the guts to go through with it. Carrying along with my movement, I run away. Cade follows behind me, taking out more knives from his cloak. He’s still pretty fast. Last time, he had the speed advantage over me during our last fight, or rather, his proficiency with a blade. So if we do combat, I’m gonna have to strike faster than him, or take his weapons from him.

Hitting the brakes, I wait for him to make the first move. He traces the air, sliding his knife through empty space, traveling for my neck. His form hasn’t degraded, its gotten better.

“Proxy!” My name being called snapped me out of my trance. I backflip away before the blade found its mark. Too close! His handling of his dagger mesmerized me. I can’t get distracted. Cade comes first. Making the first move is important in a battle against people like him, but I need to strike carefully or else I’m going to lose a hand.

Once he closed the gap, it was on. I throw a punch, but he ducks underneath. One attack isn’t enough. Quicker, decisive! I gotta watch for his attacks, and I gotta keep up a rhythm and match his flow.

The battle of knives and fists has an obvious conclusion. If two guys who never fought a day in their life fought with this discrepancy, then the guy with the knife wins. However, my time here and back in NewPort taught me that it’s not all that simple. If both sides are skilled at what they do, then the only way for the other to win is to out-skill the other.

Faster than before, I shut down Cade’s attempts at cutting me by blocking his wrists. Each time I stop his movements, I can tell I’m pushing him further and further into a corner.

“Proxy, duck!”

My response to the voice is immediate. Cade lunges out of the way of whatever is coming at him.

Alex, accompanied by Garrick, motions me over to him. “Let’s go!”

Right, while the running is gettin’ good!

“See ya, Cade! Hope I can see you soon!”

He tried to come after us, but after a second, he turns around, going for the old man and Wildcard with the rest of his allies.

Running for as long as we can, we finally stop, heading inside a house that’s still standing, though barely. Gil and Chip are standing at the door, watching for anyone other than us.

“Close the door behind yourselves,” Chip urges us. I shut the door. “Thanks for leaving us to deal with the bandits, Proxy!”

“Quit your whining. What, can’t handle a bandit or two?”

“Try a dozen! Besides, they’re spread around the area, looking for us.”

“Then you might as well start shitting bricks.”

“Thanks, but I’m good.”

Peering out the window, a couple of bandits run down this way, looking for us. I get out of sight before they could see me. We sit on the ground, waiting for them to leave before we start talking. Alex points to stairs leading down. We follow him, crouch walking to the stairs. Making it down, there’s a small, square-spaced room, acting as a bar. There are drinks behind the said bar.

“Well, I’ll be…!” Chip pushes past me, leaping over the bar. He whisks a bottle from the shelf, opening it. “Whoa! Smells fresh enough.”

“Seriously? You’re gonna start drinking?”

“Why not? Not like the bandits are going anywhere ‌soon, so we might as well pass the time with some drinks.”

Geez, I can already see this going sideways. But he does have a point: we might as well hunker down here for a little while.

“We do not have the luxury of time,” Alex says, heading for the door.

“You can’t be serious? Even if we go, the bandits aren’t gonna let us go so easily. I said they’re searching this area for us. I checked while you guys were looking for him,” Chip points to me.

“We must regroup with the others and continue our march!”

Here go again.

“Listen, all I’m saying is this: going out during the day isn’t a good idea. Let’s wait for night. And even if the bandits found them, they’ll just drive away.”

Alex is backing down like a dog not being allowed to go outside.

“Alex, he’s right. I’m worried about the others, but we’re not the only ones in this place. Couple that with the Fire Wraiths, and Cade is here.”

“The boy who kidnapped Marie!?”

“Yeah. So I think we should wait till night.” I stare him down, eye to eye, showing him how serious I am. “I swear, Alex: I won’t let him hurt anyone we care about, especially Marie.”

His worried expression lifts, turning glum. “Okay…”

It hurts to see him so down, but I’ll turn that frown upside down in no time.

“Sweet, so let’s just bunker down while we wait.”

“Alright! Who wants the first drink!”

Chip is livelier than usual… Kinda weird.

Gil raises his hand. “I’ll have one. Its been a while since I had one.”

“I will have one, too,” Garrick says.

“Sure about that?”

“What? Afraid I’m not cut out to drink?” he questions, a bit expressive in his tone.

“If you say so. What about you, Proxy?”

“No thanks. Have fun though.”

“What some, Blondie?”

“No. Alcohol burns my throat.”

“Suit yourselves.”

Well, this is gonna be a fun afternoon, I can just tell. I hope the others are alright. We just gotta stick here till night, then we’re hauling ass. Hopefully, it’s that easy.

Laguna - South-west end - afternoon

We had successfully escaped the bandits and that unknown enemy. The morale has grown worse than it was before. With the death of some of our allies, it is safe to assume we’d take a moral hit. Fortunately, I remain unaffected, so my judgment is secured. Master Richard remains unconscious, but with him on the bus, his safety is assured. As for Marie, her status is still unstable.

Hmm. This is troubling. But the fact it is troubling is problematic. My thoughts keep shifting to Marie’s well-being, almost as much as I do for my master. Problematic indeed… Master is not awake, and Proxy is not here to offer assistance. I am unable to deal with this arduous task alone.

“Whatchu frowning ‘bout?”

Elizabeth slings her arms around me. Her ability to easily close in on one’s personal space shows her confidence not with just her actions, but her skills in socializing with others.

“I am not frowning. How are the repairs proceeding?”

“Not much to repair since that lunatic didn’t get further than the platin’, but the paint is scratched.” She pulls me closer, growing disgruntled. “That lil’ brat! He might have been good lookin’, but next time I see him, I’m gonna strangle the life outta him!”

“What for?”

“He scratched the damn paint! He has no idea how long it took to apply it!?”

“Such a matter is trivial, if not insignificant.”

“Aw, come on! I thought you’d have my back!”

“How would one ‘have your back’?”

“It’s a saying!” Phrases such as that and how they are inserted into casual conversation baffle me. “Oh, right, I forgot to say this, but we’re having a meetin’.”

“Who is holding this meeting?”

“Zell. Said things need to happen now.”

I would imagine nobody would pose his plan. After all, he was the one who aided us in getting Marie back for the body-snatcher, and he’s been acting as a medic during battle. For his short tenure, he has proven to be a worthy ally.

Elizabeth escorts me to the meeting. All of our members stand around Zell.

“...We lost a group of good men, but right now, we need to focus on what we’re going to do.”

“What about their bodies!?” voices one attendee. “Are we really going to leave their bodies to rot?”

“We have no choice.”

“You bastard! My friend died back there!”

“My brother is back there!”

The consensus is against Zell. Although I am unable to understand why his judgment is sound; going back for the bodies would bring us back into contact with the bandits and mostly that unknown adversary. Another battle with him could prove deadly if we are caught at a disadvantage.

‘I understand what you all mean. However, we can’t go back for them. Right now, we need to devise a strategy for–”

“Screw you! Let us bury our friends!”

The people continue to interrupt him, showing their grievance with Zell’s suggestions. Zeal shows visible agitation, scowling at everyone in the crowd. Before he could voice his anger, Zell halts him.

“Everyone, I know who I am: an ex-bandit leader. No matter how much I help you all, I know that none of you will forget that. However, all I want to do is help you all. The best way to do that is to focus on our survival. So yes, we’ll have to leave the bodies behind. If any of you wish to leave for them, I can’t stop you.” No one objects to his proposal, turning their eyes away from him and onto each other. “...Now, since Alexander is not here, and Marie is incapable of acting as leader, I will take charge for a time. Right now, I want lookouts deployed around the area. We need to be prepared to fight or run, depending on the number. In the meantime, we’re going to scout the north exit to Laguna. If there are volunteers, we need them by night.”

Our current situation requires evaluation, and Zell sees this. I could give my assistance, however, I would be leaving my master and…

“Yo, Nunnalé, you wanna go check up on Marie?”

"I do not recommend–"

"Yeah, yeah, let's go!"

She takes me away from the meeting against my will. Inside the bus, Marie sits in the same seat as the day before, and before that, curling into a ball.

"Aight, this is it. We need a plan of attack?"

"Are we fighting her?"

"Yeah, out of that moppy mood!"

"I don't see how that will aid her?"

"Gotta give me a minute… Got it! You gotta turn on the innocent charm."

“Innocent charm?”

“Yeah, you know, smiling and all that gunk.” She pats my shoulder. “So here’s how we’re gonna do it…”

Approximately 4 minutes of an inane explanation and posing passed. New information vital to our plan of attack has been added. While I am unable to confirm the validity of this new tactic, I am without other alternatives.

I set myself in front of Marie, who turns her face to me. Pale skin, bags form under her eyes, and the color in her eyes is darker than they normally are. Elizabeth pays me a thumbs-up.

“What?” Marie mutters, putting forth no effort to speak.

“I would like to show you something.”

“Look, I–”

Now is my time to strike! Putting our strategy into motion. I separate my lips from each other, curling the ends of my mouth to form the expression that I’ve practiced.

“What the…?”

“I am attacking you… Is it working?”

Her pupils dilate, taken aback. Silence looms over us while I hold the same facial features. Then, breaking the present silence, Marie allows a laugh to come out from under her breath. She goes into an uncontrolled fit of laughter, heaving her stomach as she turns to her side, covering a part of her face. Elizabeth mimics her by howling in amusement, banging against the seats.

“What is amusing?” I ask, holding this face.

“What do ya mean!? That stupid look is what!”

Stupid? Does she mean to insinuate that I am making a peculiar expression? Strange. A moment ago, she told me it was perfect. However, I do recall her giggling before she sent me off.

Eventually, the laughter ceases from both subjects. Marie’s mode of expression in particular captures my attention.

"Marie, you are smiling…"

She quickly takes note of this, processing this change in mood. Her facial features take on a more reserved aspect, yet holding a faint smile. "Yeah…I am. Thanks, Nunnalé. I needed that."

"You did?"

"Yeah." She raises herself from her seat. “So, what did I miss?”

“What do ya mean? Weren’t ya awake for the whole thing?”

“Sorry, but I sort of just zoned out on everything.”

Elizabeth rubs the back of her head, casting a wary look at me. “Well…”

She explains our current predicament to Marie, whose frightened features tell me she’s having difficulty processing this new information. However, her dire expression gives way to a more composed, in-thought face.

“T-that’s bad. If anything, we need to find the others first. Brother and Proxy are with Gilhart and Chip, so I doubt they’ll have too much trouble, however, I don’t know about this new person. Besides the bandits, this new enemy has me worried. If they fought against Nunnalé and somehow lived, I doubt they’ll be easy to deal with. As for the bandits, we’ll need to take caution. Zell’s right, we should scout the north exit of the city…”

“Back in action, huh?”

“I guess, but I don’t know…” Guilt ripples across her face. “I… I can’t face them. Not after everything I’ve done.”

“But you have done nothing worthy of contempt.”

“I did. With my own hands, I almost…almost…I…!”

“AH!” Elizabeth, screaming in an obnoxious pitch, interrupts Marie. “S-sorry, I thought I was about to sneeze, ya know?”

An obvious lie, and such a lie will be seen through.

“Did you have to yell so loud?”

“Yeah, I just do that.”

“Oh, well, be careful next time.”

Perhaps humans have selective perception?

Marie takes a seat, rubbing her left hand's knuckles. “In any case, let Zell act as the leader until brother’s team gets back with us. In the meantime, go with Zell’s scouting plan, Nunnalé.”

“What about master Richard?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him. Learning about our current situation is a top priority.”

Reasonable as usual, as expected from Marie. I am glad to see she has made a significant enough recovery to formulate strategies. Hm? How odd. This feeling of ease… How peculiar.

…

Nunnalé and Elizabeth kept me company for a bit before leaving. It was nice talking to them, even if Nunnalé didn’t speak as much as Elizabeth. All she went on about was the paint of the bus being scratched. Like complaining is gonna do anything about that. But it was all nice, really nice. They’re people who shine so bright, more than what I deserve. Everyone shines so bright, and I can’t even compare. A disgusting person like me can’t shine. Not with all this blood on me. Dripping in every which way, this thick, murky blood drips from me, staining the world.

I can’t stain them with my sins, especially brother. This blood, my terrible deeds, and their voices, all these things remind me of what I am; a monster in human skin. That's all I'll ever be.

Laguna - south-west end - afternoon

Clashing blades with a bandit, he uses one of my daggers, repelling whatever I do. His eyes narrow in on both my daggers, taking in account which I’m going to use. Couple that in with his surprising athletic abilities, this bandit isn’t gonna be easy to kill.

Then, there’s that old man, standing in the back, watching us fight. Taking him hostage might help, but then again, these are bandits, so they probably don’t care about the other. But moving to different targets sounds better.

With a deft pivot, I trick my enemy, moving for the old man. Drawing another dagger, I leap at him, aiming for his neck. Nearing the point of contact, he clenches the blades between his fingers.

“How drab,”

No way, there’s no way someone could do this, and on top of that, he killed my momentum! Shit, I made a bad call. I withdraw from him, losing two more of my weapons. I got three other daggers on me, but if this keeps up, I’m good as dead.

“What you gonna do now, kid? You’re all alone and you can’t even touch me,” the one wearing a fur coat boasts.

“And like your allies, your chances for victory are slim.”

I gotta get us out of here. But between these two, my chances of escaping are low.

Suddenly, blood splatters from an alleyway next to the fur coat-wearing bandit. A familiar weapon pokes out from the alleyway, igniting hope inside me.

“I spotted a large group of bandits around this area. I hope something interesting is happening around the corner.” And he’s talking to himself again. I don’t want to tell people what to do, but he should at least not make it sound like he was watching us the whole time. “...Ah, Cade. It is good to see you! This must be a twist of fate.”

“Jed! Why are you– N-never mind! We need your help.”

He spins his weapon, twirling it with just one hand. “Of course. But may I fight just that one?”

He gestures to the old man, piques his interest.

“Why me, pray tell?”

“Simple, my gut says so.”

“Why listen to your gut? It may be wrong.”

“Oh, no, my gut is never wrong. Plus…” He opens his eyes, piercing them with a sharp glare, brimming with hostility. “My purpose is whatever my gut says, and who am I to go against my purpose?”

His purpose. This is the first I’m hearing about this.

“Ohohoho! What an interesting answer.” Smiling from head to toe, the old man drops to a stance, spreading his feet from each other, and his arms by his thighs. “...Then come, let us see what your purpose bears.”

Holding his spear behind himself, Jed returns the old man’s enthusiasm with glee that borders on disturbing. “I will be sure to show you what I mean, old man.”

Then that means I have to continue to fight this guy? Fine, but I’ll have to be much more clever than I’m acting now. The moment I lose him, I’ll get everyone else out of here.