Fifth District Entrance Gate

10:05:20 AM

10 minutes before the clash

Chief Zamor met his twenty four men in the gate. Armed with rifles and swords, everyone is waiting for their leader’s order. He stepped forward and climbed up in the wall. He took a deep breath and began his speech.

“My fellow men, my twins entered the forbidden district. I don’t know the reason but we must find them before the mobs find them. Before we go, I want to clarify that we must not kill and hurt anyone living in this place whether they are bandits or innocent civilians.” he said, grasping his hand tightly while looking at his men.

“But why sir? Whatever happen if the bandits tries to shoot us? Do you want us to get kill?”

“Yeah, sir. This is a great opportunity to bring down those bandits and throw them out of this district for good.”

“No we can’t. I already told you that we signed a contract with the leader of the trope.”

“But… sir. We are ready to risk our lives to serve and protect the village. We’re ready to take over the District 5. Right, everyone!” his companions raised their rifles in unison.

“Wait everyone, calm down. That’s not the point of your early summon in this place. I am entrusting you all to search for my twins.”Chief Zamor didn’t like their idea and he ordered them not to rush everything. Insisting them to calm down, his voice didn’t reach their ears. They rushly marched inside the district, readied to vanquish anyone dare to stop them.

He, who asked them for their assistance, gulped his saliva as he couldn’t stop their wickedness and stubbornness. Ubert, his best friend, asked his help but he patted his shoulder instead, showing his defiance against his orders. He waved his head in refusal to make their decision to stop.

“Are you guys insane? We went to this place to search for my kids. This is not what I mean by calling you all!” Chief Zamor explicitly said, trying to stop his comrades.

In the end, he was unable to stop them. Ubert lead his small troops and charged in spearhead. Chief Zamor had tried his best to change their mind but he was powerless.

“You idiots! That’s not my order!” he yelled, grasping his arms tightly. He quickly ran to block their way. He was almost reach their front but he paused when he heard a gun shot.

Bang!

“Nooo!” he screamed, witnessing the death of someone.

One of his men shot the patrol guard of the District 5. His comrades had witness his brutal death. Chief Zamor quickly moved to the dying man. Carried his head from his lap, he asked him not to lose his consciousness. But the man had already passed away and didn’t heard his words.

“You bastards! I told you not to dare kill anyone in this district.” Chief Zamor reproached the one who shot the bandit. “Now, it’s too late. We’re all going to die! You hear me, we will going to die because of you!”

“I-I-I’m so sorry, Chief.. That’s not what I - ”

“Shut up! You’re all fools. Now we’re all screw. Totally screw! We have to hide this body before -”

“Hold it right there.” Two bandits pointed a rifle in front of them. “You son of bitches, you killed one of our own. You violate one of the agreements written in contract.”

Chief Zamor’s fear had finally happened. He slowly turned his eyes behind him, dropping a lot of sweat from his face in fear.

“No… way!”

“Boys, kill them now.” Ubert took the first shot, hide himself behind the wood and ordered his men to grab their leader away from the openfield. Multiple shots of bullets exchanged in each sides. Wrecking and damaging some portion of materials in the field, the two sides continued to kill each other. Another group of men wore a black suit appeared and reinforced their comrades. “Suppressing fire!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“We’re just searching for my kid. We’re just searching for my kid.. We’re just searching for my kid. We’re just searching for my kid. We’re just searching for my kid. We’re just searching for my kid. We’re just searching for my kid.” Chief Zamor murmured, losing his mind because of his failure. He blamed himself for everything.

“I’ll be going to the other side. Take the Chief away from here. Understand?” Ubert ordered, dragging one of his men to take care of their Chief.

“Yes, sir.”

“No no no no no…. Please don’t kill them all!” he lost his mind and unable to think. “You need to find my children and immediately send the message to the villagers to commence an immediate evacuation from the place.”

“What do you mean, Chief?” Ubert asked.

“You need to get them out of this place! Right now! Before it’s too late!”

“What the fuck are you talking about? Tell me. I heard about this contract you’ve signed with the bandits.” He grabbed his collar. “Chief, what have you agree to this people? You told us that they won’t touch anyone who won’t dare to step in this place. We followed your request. But, how can be this bandits be able to make you scare like that. You’re not that kind of person! Tell me, chief!” Ubert excessively asked, waving him to talk.

“They’re not bandits.”

“Wha - They’re not? I know you’ve agreed for them to stay in this district with change of protecting us from the mercenary of Archnemesis. What are the exact details did you signed with them? If they’re not a bandits then who are they? Spill it out!”

Multiple gunshot hit in their place. They moved away further from it. The two men of the chief returned fire and killed the gunners hiding in the windows.

“Okay… okay.. Hear me out. I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry… Because of that filthy brat, I… I… signed a contract from his rival -”

“You fuckin’ bastard,” he punched his friend, “What have you’ve done? You told us you hate mafia. Then why did you do that? The family you’ve hired is more dangerous and cruel than that kid.”

“He kidnapped my daughter! What reason should I make? I need to make a decision. If you didn’t let our man to shoot that guy, we might prevent this chaos.”

“Idiot!” he punched him in the other side of his face, “Stupid decision. That’s the fucking reason, really? You’re a fucking doting parent! I know the fucking reason too. Don’t change the truth. She wasn’t kidnapped afterall. She volunteered to work in that mansion. You already know she liked to do that for her own reason.”

“Like I care! Stupid!” Chief Zamor returned the favor and punched him too, “My daughter has a bright future too. I don’t want… I don’t want her to work with that bastard!”

“You stupid man!”

“You idiotic comrade!”

The two old men continued to fight with fist whilst the men shot down every bandits coming to reinforce their comrades.

“Enough,” he panted and wiped out the blood from his mouth.

“Y’ah. We better to stop now.”

“You bastard, you got me good there.”

“Well… much better to see you like that, Chief.”

“Stupid friend but thank you for your punches, I already wake up from that delusion. Like I ordered earlier, notify the guards in the village and evacuate everyone who can be salvage from their upcoming attack.”

“Yes, sir.” two men ran away and disappeared in the bushes.

“Ubert, we need to find my kids too.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout that, chief. They’re your kids after all.”

Chief Zamor smiled and patted his friend’s shoulder. “Well, then. Shall we kick these moron’s ass until the end?”

“Sure… But we’re going to begin to lose some ammo..”

“Like I care. We’re going to retreat step by step. Rotation method will apply in this kind of mess.”

“Alright, good to have you back to your senses, Chief.” His big smiled made everyone raised his comrade’s morale, yelling ‘yeah!’ in unison.

Near the Abandon House

10:40:20 AM

The sounds of the gunshot was still can be heard near the house. In the shattered place where no one can even dare to live, there were two opposite sex cautiously walking in the street. Hiding their presence to prevent catching attention, they sneakily crouched away from upcoming group of men armed with rifles in the area.

What is happening right now? Who are those men? I thought this district held by bandits. Those gunshots are so massive. Is there a gun fight happening in that site?

“Hey, where are we going now? What are those sounds? Fireworks?”

Hermes faced palm and asked her in deadpan, “Really? You’re totally airheaded person, aren’t you?”

“What?” she tilted her head, unaware in what’s he meant to.

“Whatever, I don’t have any idea, as well. Wait a minute, why’re you still here? Didn’t I tell you to run away from this place?” Hermes asked.

“Umm… I was curious where you’ll head to. And I have a feeling we know each other.” she replied, wandering her eyes around. “By the way, where are we right now? This place looks familiar.”

“Of course, it’s look familiar in this place. This is District 5.” he replied.

“Oooh, this is district 5. The forbidden district.” she tilted her head and asked, “Why’re we here?”

“Gosh… didn’t I answer you earlier, lady? That’s the 23rd question. Gosh, whatever… Please. Never ask another question again. Let me tell you straight in your face. It’s too dangerous for a lady like you to come with someone you just met earlier.”

“May I ask you something?”

“What?” his anger had disappear when her pitiful eyes caught his glance. He sighed and gave in. “Yes, of course you can but exlcuding my personal life.”

“What are you looking for?” she asked.

“Hmmm? Pardon?”

“Is it a thing?”

“No, they are two little children. My plan have changed when they appeared. My first objective was to find my servant but my conscience forced me find those burdens.”

“Then who is that?”

“Wrong question, lady. Let me correct you from your question. You should ask like ‘Who are they?’ Well whatever, I’ll give up. Y’know, we’re looking for these two little kids, an identical twins for specific detail.”

Zairena stopped and covered her mouth in shock.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Can you tell…. Can you tell me… I mean… can you repeat what just did you say?”

“The kids we’re looking for? They are identical twins. One is a boy named Troy and the other girl is —”

“— July, right?”

“Hmmm… you got it right. Yes, you’re correct about that. How did you — ”

“Oh father, what have I done?” she kneeled down in sorrow and cried.

“Hey, hey, why’re you crying?”

“Because they are here as well. I don’t know what would happen if we won’t be able to find them. It’s my fault for letting me to escape from prison. Because of me, you’re almost lose your sight to them.”

Umm…. that was totally an accident, lady. You just made a big misunderstanding. I just totally met you by accident. That’s all.

“Ahem… if you keep following me, your life will be in danger. So, I insist for you to disappear from my sight.” he said, waving her away from his sight.

“Hu- ?” she cried and embraced him, making Hermes unable to breath. She pushed her away but she used her earth magic to chain him.

“I-I-I mean... what I mean is not to disappear entirely, lady. Just keep away from from me and saved yourself from this place. Return to your home and embrace your father and twins. But first release me right now. I can’t breath!” he begged.

“How can I possibly go home if my twins are in danger as well. And the noise I heard, what are those things?”

“Really, lady? You don’t even know the sound of guns?”

When she heard his mock, she tightened his chain. She puffed her cheeks and moved her face closer to him. Hermes blushed when their eyes became closer.

As expected to one of the seven heroines, she’s stronger magic user from what I know. Damn it, I’m so fucking useless in this situation. I was a fool to mock her. Damn it, she’s cute but dangerous!

“Sure… I know guns. They are kind of weapon to kill and hunt.” she said.

“You’re right. I don’t know what’s going on right now but hearing those exchanging gun fires, there might a fierce battle currently happening in that site. I’ll let you come with me, but please.” he pointed the chains surrounding his body. She then released him and removed the dust from her skirt. “We need to find your twins first before those bad guys catch them alive.”

“Right.”She nodded in agree and followed him. Her cute smile gave him a nightmare and bad vibes.