9/8 - Anti-bandit army camp - morning

Marie slams a map against the stone table all the key members, including myself, are sitting around.

“Okay, Chip, debrief us,” she requests.

“I did some scouting an hour ago northwest from here. Saw an enormous bandit force driving over here. I was able to get ahead of them with the help of Proxy’s bike.”

Damn, it’s amazing that he’s still alive.

“How long do we have?” she asks.

“30 minutes at the most.”

“How does it look?”

“Seems like they’re ready to go and destroy shit. Guessing that would be us.”

Marie is about to slam her fist against the stone table, but Alex stops her from doing so.

“Sister, please do not damage your hand like that. We need you at your best. We must steel ourselves.”

“But…”

“Marie, calm yourself. We will prevail, but we need your aid to do so.”

He puts a hand on her shoulder. She drifts from distress to a determined expression.

“Right, sorry for losing my head.”

“Don’t worry. So what’s the plan, Marie?” I ask her.

“First: Chip, how many vehicles are there; I need you to be specific on how many cars and bikes there are.”

“Well, I think I spotted 10 bikes and 12 cars. None of the cars had open backs for people to ride on.”

“Hm, this is a prediction on their numbers. But assuming all the seats in all those vehicles are full, there’s bound to be about 68 in total,” Marie sums up.

“Hah, not that many, we got this!”

“No, do not underestimate them. This is a greater force than we’ve dealt with before, and they’re coming at us. We need a plan of attack immediately! Chip, which direction are they traveling from on the map?” Alex asks him.

“Right about here.”

He points to the path they’re coming from.

“From there...” Marie’s lips contorted into a smirk “...If that’s the case, then we might be able to do this.”

“What are you talking about?”

A scream erupts from behind us, interrupting Marie before she can explain herself. Two motorcycles enter the camp, riding straight through the place.

“Damn it, someone stop them,” Marie curses out an order.

I dash after them, Nunnalé follows behind me.

“You stop the one on the left, but don’t kill him,” I instruct her.

“Understood.”

The biker I’m running towards isn’t changing course. He wants to play chicken with me, thinking that he’ll ram me with his bike. Please, I worked too hard to be beaten by a damn goon. Closing into him, I jump right before we collide. I plant my foot on the wheel guard of his bike. I kick his head with the other As I land back onto the ground, the second biker swings a chain at Nunnalé. She catches it and swings the biker off his ride.

“Marie, we have captured the intruders,” Nunnalé reports.

“Good, tie them up!”

“On it!”

“Everyone else, get ready for battle!”

…

After tying up the bandits, we return to the stone table. Marie and the others seem to be cooking something up.

“Okay, so do we have a plan?” I ask her.

“Yes, we do. We’re going for an ambush.”

“How?”

“Check this.” She points to the area they’re coming from. “So, a while back, I had traps set up in a plethora of areas that we could defend against an invasion. The pathway they’re going through happens to be where we set one of those traps.”

I see how we could, the way they’re coming from is a narrow pathway with two pockets of forests on both sides. Not only that, but it seems to be on a little cliff.

“Seriously? What are we waiting for then, let’s go!”

“No, we need to organize everything first. We need to get everyone who can’t fight out of here. We’ll evacuate them to a disclosed cave nearby here. Everyone who can and is willing to fight will be deployed to intercept the enemy. We also need to keep this place looked down in the event that they somehow break through our defenses. Gilhart, you think you can stay here and defend?”

“Don’t worry, no one is taking this place from us.”

“Now that we got that covered, let’s go kick some ass!”

“Proxy, wait. You aren’t going to fight,” Marie says.

“Why!?”

“I need you to help escort the non-combatants. I don’t know if there are going to be any more rogue bandits driving around the area, so I need you to protect them?”

She’s giving me a heavy responsibility. I want to fight on the front lines so damn bad, but I know this is much more important, and denying the task would just be too selfish.

“Okay, you can rely on me!”

“Good. Nunnalé, go with him. He’ll need the manpower if push comes to shove.”

“I understand. Master Richard, you stay here.”

“No, I’m going to help as well.”

“But, master. If enemies were to appear, you’d--”

“It’s useless. He’s going to come with us, no matter what you say. Ain’t that right?”

We go for a hi-five, guess he’s ready to rock this.

“You got that right. I’m not going to sit around and do nothing. Besides, Nunnalé needs me close by to increase her effectiveness in battle.”

“Is that true,” Marie directs her question to Nunnalé.

“Yes, it is. If we are apart from each other, then our connection is thinned.”

Marie presses her finger against her forehead. She eyeballs Richard. Her gaze is analytical from what I can tell.

“Fine, but make sure to stick next to her, Richard,” Marie instructs.

“Okay!”

“Proxy, when you get everyone to safety, get to the frontlines. We’ll need your help out there.”

Hell yeah! Just what I wanted to hear.

“Got you!” I run out towards the crowd that is lined up to head outside. I clap my hands to catch their attention. “Yo, may I have your attention? We’re gonna be heading out to a safer area. Don’t get separated from me or these two over there. Keep your arms forward, and do not dillydally.”

Man, it feels like I’m a teacher during a fire drill. Richard runs past me, he starts leading them outside.

“Please, walk in a single file line, and please stay near us at all times,” he expertly instructs.

Racheal tugs Richard’s pants from behind.

“Will...we...die?”

Richard doesn’t respond to her question as his mouth is slightly gaping open. He squats down and puts his hand on her head as I was about to say something.

“Nope, I’m going to protect you all, I swear it.”

“Rea...lly?”

“I promise, so don’t worry about it.”

She smiles at him, showing that Richard’s words comforted her. She heads off to the line with the others. Okay, we better get going.

“All right, people! We’re going now. No pushing or rushing!”

Everyone walks forward out of the camp. My sword is by my side. I shoot a glance at Richard, he returns it with a nod in response. No need for words, we know what we gotta do. Let’s just do it!

…

Alexander comes back to the table with leather gauntlets that cover one-half of his arms and leather chest armor that has shoulder armor strapped around the chest armor.

“What is our current situation, Marie?”

“Everything is almost set. We just need to wait for Elizabeth and her crew to bring us the vehicles we need to reach the area in time. If they pass the checkpoint for the traps, then we’ll have a serious problem. As for the escort team. I know I can trust Proxy and Nunnalé to protect them, but I don’t know if I should’ve had someone else do it. We need all the manpower we can get, I know, but what if something happens to them while they’re escorting them to safety? What if I made the wrong move? What if...”

Alex pats my head.

“It’s okay. You must trust in them as I do with you. With your mind, I doubt we won’t win this.”

“Brother.”

“Believe in me, believe in all of your allies. But most of all, believe in yourself.”

Again, I’m in need of him to console me. Damn it, this is pathetic!

“Damnit, why am I doubting myself now! You’re right brother, I just have to believe, right, so that’s what I’ll do!”

“Excellent, then I shall give you my all!”

“Wasn’t betting on anything else. Now get ready, we’re going soon!”

“Yes!”

I roll up the map and grab my spear. Staying here is not an option, I’ll use whatever abilities I can to aid in the fight!

“Everyone,” Alex bellows. “Today, we fight to protect our homes, our friends, and our families. However, most of all, this fight shall be our final test. To see if we are strong enough to fight back against our enemies. So let us all fight, let us yell, let us bleed, and let us come out victorious!”

Nothing but battle cries and cheers emerge from the men ready to fight. I can’t help but feel inspired as well.

“Yo,” a boisterous voice calls out. The voice belongs to Elizabeth, who is with some of the others from her workshop. “We got the vehicles here for ya. And don’t worry about the camp, we’ll keep it nice and cozy.”

Thank goodness, now we won’t need to worry about the camp. All I have to focus on is the fight.

“The time is now. Let us charge forward and defeat our enemies!”

Alexander rallies the troops behind him. They begin to march out of the camp. Time to do this!

On route to evacuation area - morning

Proxy slowly drives his bike in front of the crowd as me and Nunnalé walk next to him. My eyes scan the area, wary of enemies.

“Master Richard, is something the matter?”

“No, I’m just being cautious, is all. Proxy, how are you?”

“Peachy, but just as cautious. The enemy can attack any time.”

He has a point, and that’s why I’m concerned. If anyone comes, I’m sure Proxy will do something about it, but if there is more than one of them, then the evacuees will be in danger. We have to be aware of any threats that might come.

"Richard," Proxy calls me. “When a fight goes down, try to stick with Nunnalé.”

“I know, but what about you?”

“I’ll go on the assault. You two are playing defense and escort at the same time.”

Not a bad battle plan. Nunnalé is capable of moving at great speeds, so she might be able to pull it off.

“Nunnalé, you got that,” I ask her.

“Yes, you and I shall be taking defensive measures to protect everyone.”

“Good.”

With our bases covered, we keep moving.

“Hm?”

Proxy hits the breaks.

‘What is it?”

“You guys hear that?”

I halt my breath to hear clearer. A roar in the distance, is it an animal? No, it’s too artificial. As it gets louder, the thought of what it is becoming clearer. A bike!

“They’re coming here!”

As expected, five bikers appear. They’re driving toward us.

“Proxy!”

“Yeah, I know. Get them to safety.”

“Okay, good luck!”

“You too!”

He rides off towards the enemy.

“Master, there are more coming from there!”

More bandits are arriving from the opposite direction Proxy charged off too.

“Nunnalé, defeat the enemy and defend everyone!”

“Affirmative!”

She runs towards them, summoning her sword as she goes. She stops, holding a position as 2 bikers try their luck at hitting her. When they get into her range, she cuts the part that holds the wheels, causing them to crash onto the ground. Seeing this, the other 3 avoid her, coming straight to us. She books it towards the closest one, slicing his bike. She kicks off the ground, causing her to zoom towards the next one like a speeding bullet. She destroys the next bike in a way I couldn’t see. The last one is close to the group of people.

“Nunnalé, let me handle this!”

If she were to destroy it next to the people, then the parts would hit them. If I enhance my arm, then I can stop it without causing harm.

“Master, wait!”

I jump in front of the bike, enhancing my arm all the while. All I need to do is stop it, I'll just use my forearm as a buffer.

“Nunnalé, get ready to catch the bandit!”

“Yes!”

His bike is about to hit my arm. I’m beyond anxious, I don’t know if this will work the way I want it to; hell, what if I didn’t enhance enough? It’s too late to go back on the idea, I can only hope this works! The bike hits my arm, but instead of taking damage, I feel nothing happen to my arm besides a feeling that it made contact with something. The biker flies off from the bike, but Nunnalé jumps into the air to catch him. The bike, while messed up from the front, is still intact. I did it, I actually did it!

“Master Richard, are you okay?”

“I am. I can’t believe… I… Wow!”

“Is something troubling you,” Nunnalé shows concern.

“No, not at all. I’m just amazed is all.”

“I see… But, about this bandit?”

She’s holding him by the leg as he’s on the ground.

“Make sure he’s out cold.”

She swiftly hit him with the butt of her sword.

“Target pacified.”

All right, all we have to do now is just move forward.

“Okay, let’s get going everyone, hurry along the path!”

I can’t wait for Proxy to get back. I hope he’s okay.

…

I’ve taken care of the last of the bandits that were pursuing us. I need to get back to everyone else. Actually, should I do that? What if more bandits are sneaking around? Hmm, maybe I should get some answers.

“Hey, you!” I kick the closest bandit awake. He gags from the impact of my foot hitting his chest. “Are there any more of you?”

“Screw off,” he tells me.

I kick him right in the ribs.

“Start speaking, asshole. Or I’ll give you more than a few bruises.”

“S-shit! Yes, there are more. They got another squad out to fire a long-distance assault!”

What the hell did he just say!? Long-distance!?

“Where!?” I grab him by the collar, yanking him violently. "You deft, take me to it, now!" I drag him over to my bike, seating him on it. "Tell which way we need to go, and you better not bullshit me!"

"G-go north."

I turn on Road Burner, going in the direction he tells me. I know that going solo is a bad idea, but there's no telling how much time I'd waste trying to get someone else to come with me. If they use whatever they're gonna use on the camp, let alone the others... No, I'm not gonna let that happen!

Evacuation area - morning

We finally made it to the evaluation spot. A forest is covering the cave entrance, so I don’t believe anyone will be able to pin us down to this location. The cave is rather deep from what I can tell, and it’s quite spacious, so it has more than enough room for multiple people to walk through. Proxy still hasn't returned. Did the bandits outdo him? No, I refuse to believe he'd be done so easily.

"Master Richard, Proxy has not returned."

"I know, I'm growing a bit concerned."

"Shall we investigate his absence?"

I don't know, leaving everyone here defenseless will pose a major issue if they are found. However, my concern is overweighting the more logical idea. Maybe I can go by myself and leave Nunnalé here? No, if I were to run into trouble, I wouldn't be able to fight. Should she go instead? It would make sense, but what if she meets a fearsome opponent and needs to use my Source to beat him?

"Damn, I don't know what to do."

"If I may, send me out to find him. Even with our Source thinned, I am still stronger than the average human."

If that's the case, then...

"No, that's okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I doubt he won't be fine. Besides, we have to take care of everyone else. If any of us were to leave, it would be bad for the other."

If she goes, then we'll be left without any defense. No matter how you look at it, we need to stick together.

"Master Richard, I am going to check the perimeter."

"Okay, be..."

I hold my tongue as something comes rampaging from the forest. It breaks off a good chunk of a tree as it charges at us.

“Nunnalé!”

“Yes!”

With a strong kick against the ground, she speeds towards the monster charging at us. She hits it with a slice to the side. She spun around before stopping her momentum.

“Damn, that was a nice cut you made there!”

Someone walks into the cave, complimenting Nunnalé.

“Identify yourself,” she demands as she points her blade at him.

“Me? Well, I am the 3rd Flame Wraith squad captain of the Fire Wraiths, or Wildcard.”

Wildcard... Wait, Proxy mentioned that name before! He’s the person that controlled the monster that poised me, and he took his goggles!

“Hey, you with the glasses,” he points to me.

“What?”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Do you have a pair of goggles?”

“Huh, speak up.”

“I said do you have a pair of goggles,” I yell, my voice reverberating through the cave.

“Oh, ya mean these?”

He throws up Proxy’s goggles, twirling them around his finger. I knew it.”

“Took them from some kid, honestly, pretty nifty, don’t ya think?”

There’s no need for me to think about any of this, there’s only one option.

“Nunnalé, we’re going to fight him.”

“Understood.”

“...But more importantly, we’re going to be taking those goggles back!”