Only Skeletons Remain

Chapter 6: The Attack

1986

The night was still, the air thick with tension as the Banditos camp lay nestled against the backdrop of the Walstara Mountains. Fires flickered in the distance, casting long shadows across the rugged terrain. The makeshift tents and fortified walls stood resilient, but there was an unspoken sense of dread that lingered—a feeling that something was coming.

From the distant horizon, a shriek cut through the night like a blade, sharp and piercing. Nightshriekers.

Miguel's head snapped up from where he had been standing near the edge of the camp, his heart pounding in his chest. His eyes locked onto the dark sky, where shadowy figures began to appear—winged terrors blotting out the stars. The Nightshriekers were coming fast, their howls growing louder with each passing second, like the promise of death in the air.

He turned back toward the camp, where the Banditos were already scrambling to their feet, grabbing weapons and pulling on armor.

"To arms!" Juan shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Nightshrieker patrol incoming!"

Miguel could see the fear flash in their eyes—none of them had expected an attack this soon. But they were Banditos. Fear was something they could handle. The scrappy fighters who called this place home were no strangers to impossible odds. One by one, they rallied, gathering in tight formations, their faces set in determination.

The shrieks intensified, and from above, the first of the Nightshriekers dove toward the camp. The creatures were massive, their leathery wings slicing through the air as they screeched their blood-curdling cries. Their skeletal faces and glowing, empty eyes gleamed in the dark as they descended on the Banditos.

Without hesitation, Miguel darted toward the heart of the action, his sword already drawn. He wasn't just going to defend—he was going to lead the charge.

One of the Nightshriekers swooped down toward a group of Banditos near the perimeter, talons outstretched, ready to tear them apart. Miguel dashed forward, leaping onto a stack of crates and launching himself at the creature, his blade catching the light of the campfires as he drove it into the Nightshriekers' chest.

The beast shrieked in agony, its wings flailing as it struggled against the blow. Miguel twisted the blade and yanked it free, sending the creature crashing to the ground.

"Push them back!" Juan roared, rallying the Banditos as they clashed with the swooping terrors. The Banditos fought with their characteristic tenacity, hurling spears, firing arrows, and lobbing explosives into the air as the Nightshriekers circled above.

Explosions illuminated the sky as the Banditos' war tactics came into play, the colorful bursts of light revealing more of the creatures swarming overhead.

One of the Banditos beside Miguel—Gunner, a sharpshooter—fired a grappling hook into the night, catching a Nightshriekers' wing and pulling it down with a grunt. Miguel didn't waste the opportunity, delivering a swift strike to its throat as it plummeted to the ground. Another fell, but more were circling.

The Banditos were holding their ground, but for how long? Miguel could see the strain on their faces, the sheer number of the creatures threatening to overwhelm them.

Suddenly, a massive Nightshrieker, larger than the others, dropped from the sky and landed with a thunderous crash near the center of the camp, its talons gouging deep into the earth. It let out an earth-shaking roar, scattering the Banditos closest to it. This one was different—a leader, perhaps.

"Focus on the big one!" Lara shouted, locking eyes with the monstrous creature. It had to be taken down, or they'd all be torn apart.

Miguel rushed forward, dodging the swipes of its massive claws, while the Banditos surrounded it from all sides, trying to harry and distract it. With a fluid motion, he sliced at its legs, dodging under its sweeping tail as it tried to knock him off balance. He could hear the other Nightshriekers closing in, but he had to stay focused.

Suddenly, a flaming arrow whizzed past his head, embedding itself in the Nightshriekers' eye with a sickening sizzle. The creature howled in pain, its massive wings beating furiously as it staggered back.

Miguel seized the moment. He leapt onto the creature's back, plunging his sword deep into its spine. The Nightshrieker shrieked one final time before collapsing, its wings folding over its body like a shroud.

For a brief moment, silence fell over the camp. The remaining Nightshriekers, seeing their leader fall, began to retreat, their shrieks growing distant as they fled into the night.

Panting, Miguel wiped the blood from his blade, his heart still racing. Around him, the Banditos began to regroup, though their faces were pale, and many bore the marks of battle.

He turned to Gunner and the other Banditos who had fought by his side. "This was just the beginning," he said grimly, his voice low. "They'll be back. And next time, we'll be ready."

The camp stood, battered but unbroken, as the fires continued to flicker in the distance. But in the dark skies above, more threats loomed—threats that would not stop until DEMA's influence had been extinguished.

Miguel looked toward the horizon, knowing the fight was far from over. He looked over as Lara rushed towards him.

"Are you hurt?" She asked with a worried expression, immediately checking over his face.

Miguel gave her a soft smile, ignoring the electricity that shot through him when she touched his cheek. "I'm fine. Check on the others."

Lara nodded, and she moved past him to check on the more injured Banditos. Miguel watched her, admiring the caring nature that came out of her. For all the tough, independent woman façade Lara put on, she was a very kind and caring woman. Gunner clapped Miguel's shoulders, and Miguel flinched, turning to look at him.

"You got your eyes on Juan's daughter?" Gunner asked with a teasing smile.

Miguel felt his face heat up when Gunner voiced his own thoughts out loud. He shook his head. "No way!"

"I see the way you look at her, Miguel." Gunner chuckled. "I think you should go for it, but she might whoop your ass."

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about." Miguel rubbed the back of his neck. The two of them went to their separate tents, and Miguel moved to sit by the campfire once he changed into fresh clothes.

He stared at the flames, watching as they danced around, and embers flew towards the dark sky. He had to go back for his mother and his sisters. He noticed Lara moving next to him, and he looked over as she sat next to him.

"Is everything okay? You did great today." Lara said, looking over at him.

"I have to go back to DEMA. To get my family out." Miguel looked at Lara. "I'll go by myself. I don't want to risk any of you."

"No way, we'll send a small patrol with you." Lara told him. "I'm coming with you too. You're one of us now, you're not alone."

Miguel felt his face get a bit warmer, and he rubbed his cheek a few times to try and stop it. "Lara, I don't want you to get hurt."

"Don't worry about me, Miguel." Lara told him. "I will be fine."

Miguel nodded. "Okay."

"Get some rest. Meet me by my tent tomorrow morning. At sunrise."

He nodded and got up, "I'll see you tomorrow, Lara."

"Goodnight, Miguel."

"Goodnight Lara." Miguel murmured before he went to his tent.

He laid down on the cot, staring up at the slanted roof of the tent. If this plan didn't work, and he got captured again... No. He couldn't think of that. He wouldn't. He rolled onto his side and closed his eyes, falling into a restless sleep.