CALAMITY CORE : FREE THE WORLD

CH.16 'SOLDIERS OF WASTELAND'

The sun was now three quarters of the way to setting, and the settlement which had been built up by Scavver's Guild was surprisingly alive for their situation. It seemed that whatever it was, the smoke billowing from the Guild Hall's chimney had breathed a new vitality into the world around it. As Andrei stepped out of the Hall's main doors, he saw that Shimoda and Saionji were trying to convince the guards at the base of the stairs to move. Making an effort to pick up his pace, he jogged down the steps, internally glad to see a familiar face after such a tense conversation.

When they saw Andrei, they quieted down a little, and backed off once the half-Chimera boy pushed past the armed men, drawing a glare out from both of them. Shimoda blinked, then looked back up at the Guild Hall. "Andrei, you're alright... is Ban still up there? What'd Scavver want from you both?"

"Oh, y'know..." He scratched the back of his head, not sure how much he should tell of Scavver or their conversation. "Told me to make sure I don't end up like... the other Strays."

Saionji's eyes caught light, and she stared at Andrei for a moment. Looking him over, she put a hand on her hip, then looked up at the Guild Hall, her other hand covering her brow and shading her eyes. "Huh... I guess I shouldn't have expected much else... it's just, he doesn't come out very much lately." Shaking her head, she still prodded Andrei with her eyes for a moment longer, then dropped her glare.

It didn't take very long for Ban to follow after, and Saionji seemingly snapped to attention as the doors closed behind him. When he adjusted his shades, he looked down at the three kids, and his glum expression shifted to something more positive, a smile forcing itself on his lips. A hand on his belt, the other swinging at his side, he approached them, then nodded to Saionji. "Hey protege! Old Scav' wants to take a little trip to check up on you too... not much he can gauge 'bout 'Drei as he is with just a month of training under his belt."

The girl narrowed her brow a slight bit, and Shimoda looked over at Ban. While she had thought something was off about the sudden nature of it all, she couldn't deny that it would be a good chance to get answers from the source... though Shimoda cut in before she could respond. "What about me? Does he need anything from me?"

Ban shook his head and narrowed his lips. It was unfortunate, the whole series of events, but he had been asked for Saionji specifically now. "Nope. Hate to break it to ya', Shoda. Maybe run a sparring session with 'Drei, now that we got Scavver's eyes on him?"

He sighed, and Saionji took his place. Andrei sat back... was something up with Scavver? Why was so much happening all of a sudden? Then he remembered that talk about humanity. Maybe that had something to do with the Chimera in him... but that meant... "I'm ready whenever... Are we going soon, Ban, sir?" Saionji spoke over Andrei's thoughts, and then watched as the boy snapped out of it, approaching Shimoda and forming a pair, which Ban waved away.

Ban shrugged as Andrei and Shimoda walked off, one confused and one feeling a sense of inferiority to his sister. He stepped towards Saionji, then looked to the guards, whistled, and nodded up to the Guild Hall. Both men made their way up the steps, and he bit his tongue. Was it a good idea to tell her now, when Scavver was looking forward to seeing her at her best? No, that would interfere. She could break the news to her in private... of course, not the full news, but the general idea. "Yeah, just gotta' wait for old Scav' to get down here."

Saionji nodded, and both she and Ban waited for a few moments, the girl tapping her foot quietly out of veiled curiosity. With a gasp, she heard the doors to the Guild Hall creak open once more, and Scavver stepped out. His grey-brown fur shone dull in the sun, and he seemed frail along the arms compared to his otherwise heavy frame. On his back, his large sword patted against him, and a pair of satchels on both sides of his person held assorted utensils for Chimera slaying. Looking down, he waved and put on a smile. "Oi, Saiji-girl! Good to see you again, it's been so long!"