Malory

[20] Lioness

23:37 July 12, 2100
[Eyetown District, Necropolis City]

Morgan Wallace

I can feel my bow being wet by my palm's sweat to the part where I am holding it. Hindi alintana ang mga ingay na naririnig ko sa likod ng earpiece na suot-suot ko. Mas malakas pa rin ang pagtibok ng puso ko. I've been into a lot of hunting missions at ngayon ko lang ulit naramdaman ang ganito. I can't almost stand straight because of  my legs that I can't stop from shaking.

"As we have planned," seryosong panimula ni Kio. "Long rangers, wait for your turn until Captain steals the beast's attention and after close combats' attack."

Dinig mula sa linya ang pagsang-ayon nila.

We are here at the southwestern part of the Necropolis City where it is totally abandoned now-- the Eyetown District. We are exactly at an open square space and surrounded by commercial buildings. Unlike Mamlane, this place doesn't have that many establishments and it is near the boundary of Necropolis to the neighbour city.

"Pay attention to the lioness' speed."

Napalunok ako ng laway at mas hinigpitan pa ang paghawak sa pana at palaso sa kamay ko. Nakatago ako ngayon sa gitna ng dalawang building few meters away from our prey's location. Sa kanang bahagi mas malapit sa halimaw mula sa kinalalagyan ko ay nakabantay si Generys. Nasa kanya ang pangalawang atake. Nagkatinginan kami at tumango nang sabay.

Napunta kay Larasati ang tingin ko. Nasa kamay niya ang pares ng katana. Siya ang susuporta kay Generys. Kahit sa malayuan ay pansin ko pa rin ang anxiety sa mata niya. It totally affects me. It's been a long time since she join a mission due to her health. I am afraid she'll be careless.

"Bree, after Larasati injures it, quickly take the chance to shoot."

"Paulit-ulit."

"Kahit sa kahina-hinaang paghinga mo, rinig pa rin kita, Bree. Umayos ka."

Even in the middle of death situation, the two will always find a chance to bicker. Mula rito, kita ko ang pag-irap sa hangin ni Bree na naka-puwesto ngayon sa pangatlong palapag ng lumang building na nasa kaliwa.

Sa taas naman ng gusaling katabi ng kinaroroonan niya ay naroon na si Denzel na katatapos lang ihanda ang weapon niya. Kita ko ang pag-iling niya.

"If the Lioness found a way to slip through your hands, immediately fire a bullet," paalala ni Kio. "Azai, don't let it go far from the radius.

"Roger," sagot ni Azai.

"Let us hunt this beast..." Dinig mula sa linya ang sunod-sunod nilang pagkasa at pag-asinta sa kanilang armas. "And stay alive."

Malalim akong napahugot ng hininga. I'm afraid I'll mess up this mission again just like how we, the twins and I, almost failed last time because of me. I was been careless that I forgot to dodge the beast when it was about to attack. Luckily, Magnus immediately pushed me before shooting its heart. Sa sobrang gulat ko ay hindi ako nakapagsalita hanggang sa pag-uwi namin then I locked myself in my room and cried silently.

Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko at nagpokus sa susunod na gagawin namin. We should quickly get this done before any unit steal last shot from us or worst, a group of reapers.

Just like Kio predicted, the lioness got out of its den and started to roam around the deserted street. It doesn't even look like a lioness now. It is huge-- double in its normal size. Parang zombie ding duguan ang bunganga at katawan. Its sharp teeth are visible. I can't help but to gag nang maamoy ko ang malansang amoy nito. I don't even know if it is the blood on its body or if it is its actual smell.