First Light of a New Age

Chapter 70: First Battle

New World, Free Trade City of Aquarius, In the Alleyways of Aquarius

1st Year of God, Friday, 2nd Week, Month of Abraham.

The squad of human Special Operatives from the Austronesia Empire were dashing through the narrow alleyway, with their boots slapping against the cobblestone as they weaved through the shifting shadows of towering buildings.

Price led the way with a grim look on his face, while Tavish and Woods followed close behind. Belinski carried the unconscious little girl in his arms, and the Elf, Polities, trailed slightly behind, with his steps unnaturally light and silent, while his eyes scanned every darkened corner.

They finally came to a halt beneath the shelter of an overhanging rooftop, their breaths heavy and labored. The alley was tight, cluttered with abandoned crates and debris.

“We can’t keep running like this forever,” Tavish panted, leaning against the stone wall with sweat dripping down his forehead. 

“I know,” Woods grunted, rubbing his side where he’d taken a hit earlier. “But we can’t exactly stay put either. They’ll definitely be coming for our asses.”

“But at least we’ve got these come in handy,” Tavish said, glancing at the Spatial Ring on his finger, where some of the magical artifacts they’d stolen from the auction were stored.

Among them were the enchanted painting, the gauntlet, and potions capable of giving humans the ability to wield mana.

Price scanned the area with his narrowed eyes. “We need to figure out if we’re going to hide somewhere in this city. Don't forget what our leader said. We cannot be discovered nor get caught.”

Belinski, adjusting the girl in his arms, looked over at Polities. “What do you know about the guy running the auction? Jason Lance, was it?”

Polities crossed his arms and let out a breath. “Not much. Just whispers, really. Jason David Lance is a slippery criminal, slips through the cracks, and vanishes before anyone can catch him. Operates mostly in the Second Civilization Zone. That’s about all I’ve heard.”

“Great,” Woods muttered. “Just the kind of guy who’ll be looking for us.”

Their eyes turned to the girl in Belinski’s arms. Despite the chaos surrounding them, her small, pale face remained serene.

“How does this girl have mana?” Tavish asked with a frown. “Humans in this world don’t possess it. It shouldn’t be possible.”

“And her clothes…” Price murmured suspiciously. “They look too familiar, too much like something from our world. Something’s not adding up.”

Suddenly, a soft voice called out from further down the alley.

“Oh, thank the Gods! You have her!”

The group whirled around, with their hands instinctively moving toward their weapons. What they saw was a human woman stepping into the faint light filtering through the narrow passage, her face awash with joy and relief as her eyes locked onto the unconscious girl in Belinski's arms.

"Who the hell are you?" Tavish demanded, his fingers inching toward his gun.

"She’s my daughter," the woman replied with a warm, grateful smile. "Thank you. I’ve been searching everywhere for her."

Belinski held the girl a little closer as he hesitated. “Your daughter?”

The woman nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, I’m part of a human resistance group. We've been hiding for as long as I can remember. There’s a hidden human community not far from here."