Epics of Noche 2, DeathTech

EON CH 31 - ACT 22, THE CAGED BIRD

HESITATION.

1774, NOVEMBER 28th, MONDAY 12:56 am.

Molten lead soared over Noche and the group.

"Get to shore, get to shore," she chanted.

The party turned a corner and Mary created a wall of iron.

"That'll buy us time, move!" She said.

"Gee golly gosh — how did he escape my trap?"

"The anglerfish soldier may not be a bird of death, but he's definitely as strong as one," Boots said. "His intelligence, immortality, and the fact we're fighting on his home turf keeps the odds in his favor."

"Bruh... Should we try to fight him?"

Boots shook his head. "Reckless and pointless... All we'd do is waste time and energy."

His gaze landed on Noche for a few seconds, before returning to Mary.

"Besides... I don't think everyone would be fighting at full power."

"In... Here," Alice whispered.

The group hid in a room and shut the door without the faintest of sounds.

"There's an exit over there," Boots said.

Everyone moved to the door and opened it — Tak stood in the hallway before them.

"Tak!" Noche shouted.

She ran towards him before slamming into Boot's leg.

"Hold up — we don't know that's Tak," he said.

"I-I thought about that," he said.

The immortal removed his scarf and nails.

"C-Could everyone but Vida and Boots turn around?"

Noche raised an eyebrow, Boots nodded and one by one everyone turned.

"O-Okay Vida, incinerate me," he said. "Don't even leave ashes."

A grin emerged on the blind girl's face.

"Are you suuuure?" She said.

He nodded. "Vulture requires at least one cell to regenerate. Right Boots?"

"Correct."

"Well I—"

A conflagration engulfed Tak. Seconds later, a ball of light appeared and he reformed from the nothingness. Naked. The immortal was quick to create new clothes — Vida laughed, but stopped abruptly.

"The anglerfish soldier is approaching," Tak said.

The blind girl turned to him.

"How did you know that?"

"I mastered your radar ability... S-Sorry." He picked up his nails and scarf. "It'll take him a few minutes to navigate this hall."

"Gosh, how do you know?"

"I-I memorized the path I took."

"I forgot you have a photographic memory," Noche said.

"Gee golly gosh! Jelly!" Shaylin said. "I'm so jelly."

The blonde turned to her; the ginger grinned.

"Jealous, sweetie. Keep up with the lingo."

"How did you get past Vulture?" Boots asked.