Flight of The Harpy's Heart

Chapter 23: Courthouse 2

Aden, Ethan, Maeda, and Phil parted ways at the junction not far in front of the courthouse. They went to their designated area of evacuation search.

Aden and Ethan instructed every family or villager they met to gather their necessary belongings and head straight to the courthouse, assuring them that the street was safe and the harpies would not attack at night.

They carefully moved through the neighborhood, ensuring that every household was accounted for and no one was left behind.

"Phew, It looks like they are the last of it."

"yeah, let us circle around the neighborhood once more before we go back," Aden suggested.

"Good idea." Ethan agreed.

both volunteers circle around the area once more. Aden picked up an iron pole to check on rubbles and debris if there were any survivors. Searching for survivors in the dark is a difficult task with only one torch held by Ethan.

"Everyone, head over to the courthouse now!" Aden yelled every few steps, making sure everyone could hear him. Aden hit his iron pole three times to any metal objects every time he yelled. It was a patrol's custom in the Median. It was very useful as banging metals can be heard more than someone's yell.

"If anyone needs help, just shout or make some noise - we'll be there soon," Ethan added in.

Aden and Ethan searched through the debris of ruined buildings for any dead bodies. Whenever they found one, Aden would use the iron pole as a lever while Ethan dragged out the unfortunate victim. They placed the corpses on a vendor cart before resuming on their grim task. So far, they had retrieved four dead bodies from a messenger's post and destroyed houses.

Aden and Ethan were walking down the streets when a desperate plea for help from the bakery shop near the arcade building caught their attention.

Fearing that something might be seriously wrong, the two rushed towards the bakery shop leaving the cart on the street, their hearts pounding with concern, as they heard the cry for help.

They burst through the front door of the shop and were met with a harrowing sight—a meek man being toyed with by a harpy. Aden wasted no time and leaped into action, striking the harpy with a swift blow that sent it flying away into the darkness of the night.

Breathing heavily, Aden turned his attention to the meek man who had been the harpy's target. "Are you alright?" he asked, extending a helping hand.

The man nodded, his voice trembling. "Th-thank you, sir. My wife, she's trapped under the collapsed roof. I don't know what to do."

Aden's eyes narrowed with determination. "Stay calm. We'll get her out. Lead the way."

They hurried to the pile of rubble and debris where the wife was trapped.

"Hey, are you okay? say something or make some noise."

Aden called out to her, reassuring her that help had arrived. A faint response came from beneath the wreckage, giving them hope.

Assessing the situation, Aden determined that it was safe to start lifting the rubble. He spotted a gap and slipped his iron pole into it, using it as a lever to exert force and lift the heavy debris. Ethan stood nearby, gripping the iron pole firmly to provide support.

"heave!"

With each heave, the rubble began to shift, and the wife's face gradually became visible. Aden's heart raced as he continued his efforts, the strength of his muscles tested by the weight. The meek man's eyes were filled with gratitude and anxiety, desperate to see his wife freed from the perilous situation.