The Split Sun and The Mechanical Moon

Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Derelict of Darkness.

Aethernick never mentioned the moon in his speech, so much so as to avoid the fact that the moon has been proven to be fake. Maybe in his mind, he doesn't want to know the fact this world is a lie, which I would respect if he wasn't trying to kill me. For now, I had everyone gathered at the center table. Not too long ago, Nico came back with Fred's daughter, and after she was returned to Fred, they sat quietly in the corner. Around the table, it was Me, Vee, Hawkins, Brandon, Kibo, Delilah, and Leah.

We all stood quietly, until I spoke up.

"We need Promise out of prison, but... in Erun's eyes I'd be freeing a criminal. I know Promise only wanted the best for Erun, but it hurts to say I need to let her go for now. So, we should turn our focus on Aethernick, and this supposed "Bobcat" he plans to use against me- on all of us."

Brandon took a slight step forward.

"In The Dead End, the prison Promise is at, they use devices called Mana Dampeners that prevent people from using spells and other magic shenanigans when they're fastened to your neck. I believe that Aethernick has developed a larger version of this device, due to your magical ability that is mostly extinct in this world."

"Hm..."

Leah got distracted, walking beside Hawkins.

"Are you really... Hawkins? Hawkins Kimura?"

Hawkins looked down at her, being as friendly as he can with the teary woman.

"Yes, I am."

"Your mother... she'd be very proud of you."

Leah shook his hand, and now looked around a bit. She was looking for someone, but she quickly gave up. Vee took center stage, being a bit loud.

"We should show this Aethernick we're not messing around by besting him in combat! One on one! I'll take him out in seconds!"

"A deal between us and him is not a bad idea, it would benefit us both."

"I don't think Aethernick is willing to fight us, that's what that wolf man and Emmys sister is for. Wasn't there... a third girl, does anyone know anything about her?"

Brandon was quick to it.

"I did my research on all of them, Amy Deidrich is a skilled communications specialist, and expert in tracking... operating security cameras... and- and, logistics."

The room went quiet, and as we did, we heard helicopters pass by us before we heard tires screech above ground.

"They found us..."

"BRANDON-"

I turned to Brandon, shouting at him to take cover. How is he standing so still, in fact... everyone was frozen in time. I spun around, seeing everyone look at the metal gate door that had sparks coming from it. Someone was drilling into the hideout, but nothing was moving. I heard a voice, now spinning to see a familiar face.

"Nemesis!"

She stood there, all smiles. Her hands behind her back with her burnt scarf covering a bit of her chin. She spoke, her voice the only sound in this frozen moment.

"Push through your Pain. Through me, we learned to live."

The moment she finished speaking, an explosion knocked me unconscious... the very next moment I was on a muddy floor with the rain beating on me. I coughed blood, looking around now. The hideout had been turned into a crater in the ground, EPD trucks lined the perimeter with helicopters lighting up the muddy and fiery remains. I heard crying, now looking over to my right. It was Brandon, I stood and limped over. Kibo and Delilah both laid dead in his arms, shrapnel lined their faces and black burns all over them. They were past saving... Brandon was hysterical, crying and wailing he desperately called out to them, to no avail. Hawkins was on the ground, looking to his left and right before coughing, Fred had his daughter behind cover, Nico helped Mitsoro to her feet. I looked away from them, but then heard a gunshot. It was Nico, she shot Mitsoro in her leg before moving to me. Leah jumped in front, protected me. They shouted over the rain.