Nejiko of the Lightning Bullets

Franco the hater Part 1

The wind carried the familiar scent of dry earth as Nejiko Nyan Pyon stood outside the sheriff's office in Dusthaven, her reputation solidified as Nejiko of the Lightning Bullets. She'd barely had time to rest after dealing with Nejiworm, but the law never slept, and neither did the dangers that plagued the frontier.

Sheriff Nenji, a man with more scars than stories, handed Nejiko a wanted poster.

<<Got somethin' here that's gonna test even you, Ranger>> he said, his voice rough as sandpaper.

<<Franco the Hater. He's been terrorizin' towns up north, spewin' poison against anyone who dares cross his path. Mean son of a gun, that one. Reckon he's holed up somewhere in the Blackridge mountains.>>

Nejiko glanced at the poster. The face of Franco the Hater stared back at her, with eyes cold and cruel as the dead of night. His bounty was higher than Nejiworm's had been. A man like that didn't just kill—he thrived on making people suffer.

<<How long since anyone's seen him?>> Nejiko asked.

<<A week, maybe more,>> Nenji replied, adjusting his hat. <<Folks up in Comet Falls are scared to death. Franco's got a small army of loyal scum, and anyone who speaks out against him ends up on the wrong side of a noose.>>

Nejiko took a deep breath, folding the poster and tucking it into her coat. <<Looks like it's time for another ride.>>

The ranger rode for days, her trusty black horse carrying her through endless plains and rugged mountains. Dusthaven faded behind her as the wilderness expanded before her. The sun dipped low on the horizon by the time she approached a small clearing near Comet Falls. She'd heard rumors Franco and his gang had taken over a ranch on the outskirts, but something else caught her eye first.

In the soft light of dusk, she saw a young woman by the creek, her long dark hair flowing in the breeze. She was kneeling by the water, humming a quiet tune to herself as she washed her hands. Something about her drew Nejiko in, like a moth to flame. For the first time in a long while, her heart skipped a beat, a feeling foreign to the battle-hardened ranger.

Nejiko dismounted, moving closer. The woman looked up, her dark eyes meeting Nejiko's. She was breathtaking—soft yet strong, her expression a mixture of curiosity and warmth.

<<Evenin',>> Nejiko said, tipping her hat slightly, trying to sound casual despite the way her pulse raced.

The woman stood, smiling softly. <<Evening, stranger. You don't look like you're from around here.>>

<<Name's Nejiko, Nejiko Nyan Pyon. I'm just ya' normal ranger. What brings you out here?>>

<<I'm Comdost>> the woman replied, her voice melodic as a distant stream. <<I'm just passing through, like yourself, though you probably got more serious business than I do.>>

Nejiko felt herself flush slightly, not used to feeling so flustered. <<I'm after Franco the Hater. Heard he's been makin' trouble.>>

Comdost's smile faded. <<Franco... The argentino. . . he's a dangerous man. If you're going after him, you'll need more than your revolvers. His hatred... it runs deeper than most. He doesn't just fight, he destroys, they say it runs in his argetino's blood>>

Nejiko nodded. <<I've faced worse. But this feels different.>> She looked into Comdost's eyes, suddenly wanting more than just the next bounty or the next outlaw to bring to justice. There was something grounding about this woman, something she hadn't felt in years—maybe ever.

The words hung in the air. Nejiko felt her chest tighten, emotions warring with the duty that called her.

But before she could respond, the crack of gunfire echoed through the valley.