Spirit of the Woods

Secrets

Secrets

Lungmen Slums

"I said I'm fine, Meteorite." Firewatch complained as the sarkaz wiped the blood off her face with a handkerchief .

Meteorite shook her head. "I'm just a bit worried, Firewatch. You only used it for a few seconds and you're already coughing blood."

Firewatch shook away the hand dabbing at her face. "I haven't used it in years. I'm just out of practice." She sighed. "How's Jacob doing?"

Meteorite glanced behind her. At that moment, Gavial pulled the arrow from Jacob's leg and quickly healed it as he screamed for a second. "He's fine."

Out of nowhere, a sankta hopped onto the roof beside them. "Penguin Logistics here! Exusiai, ready to provide... Wow, what happened here?" She observed the scattered bodies on top of the roof and their scattered remains. She shrugged, "Whatever, hey you! Miss with the antlers, where's your boss?" Firewatch simply pointed towards Jacob and Gavial, and Exusiai nodded, walking to them.

Another voice sounded from behind her as a person climbed on top of the roof. "I would like to apologize on behalf of Penguin Logistics for our tardiness. We'll take it from here." It was Texas from Penguin Logistics. "Looks like you guys did fine without us." Jacob talked with the duo from Penguin Logistics as everyone rested.

"We're wasting enough time already," Jacob said as he limped to the middle of everyone. "The LGD is waiting for us. Penguin Logistics will lead us out of the slums. Vigna and Frostleaf escort Misha. Everyone else gets up, we're leaving." Meteorite pulled Firewatch to her feet as everyone moved across the rooftops.

Firewatch slowly made her way to the side of a limping Jacob. "How are you doing?" She asked, looking at his bandaged leg. "That bolt hit you pretty good."

Jacob chuckled, "I'm fine. I should be asking you that question, Firewatch. You were coughing a bit after the fight."

Firewatch shrugged, "Just some over-exhaustion."

"Really? From what happened back there? You disappeared for a second and the enemies in front of us were torn to pieces. When did you learn to do that?"

Firewatch looked at him, "It's not really the time to talk about our pasts, Doctor. We all have secrets and this is mine. I'll explain at some point, but for now, keep this to yourself, okay?"

"My lips are sealed," Jacob said, motioning his hand across his mouth. Jacob sighed. "This mission shouldn't have turned out like this. It should be an easy VIP search and escort, now we have the entire Reunion movement on us."

"The faster we get Misha to the LGD, the faster we get home. Oh, you might want this back." Firewatch handed Jacob's sword backs.

"Thanks." Strapping the sword to his belt, they walked across the seemingly empty roofs. Everyone was on edge as they followed Texas and Exusiai. They already got attacked once again, and they weren't keen on getting put on the backfoot again.

Exusiai pointed to something in the distance. "That's our destination. The extraction point established by the LGD no we only have to..." Suddenly, they could hear footsteps from the adjacent roof. Countless Reunion soldiers appeared across the way, as a lone figure donning a cloak and gas mask stood among them.

A deep voice erupted from the figure, "Rhode Island... We fought you once already in Chernobog. Give us the girl and we'll let you live." People on each side raised their weapons in anticipation of conflict. "You have ten seconds."

"Doctor," Firewatch whispered, "That's a Skullshatterer. Leader of the Reunion assault squad."

Jacob walked forward, "Sorry, no can do. We have a job to do and we can't let some mask wearing pansies stop us from doing our jobs. Besides, we got to her first."