The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 35: Kidnapped

Chapter 35: Kidnapped

2 years 1 week after the Fall:

"Whoa there, just take it easy," I held out my hands trying to calm the man. His eyes were wide, eyeing us dangerously as he held a knife to Clara's neck. The young girl had gone pale, her eyes pleading to help her. It was her first mission out from the dungeon and should have been easy. A simple exploration and scouting mission to Crysis city. At the edge of the city, in an abandoned building, our mission suddenly took a turn for the worse. When it came to people... it was never easy.

"Back off!" the man pulled the blade tighter to Clara's skin. If it weren't for her training, the blade would have already cut deep. "Drop all your weapons and armour. Do it now or I'll slice her head clean off!"

Aria frowned beside me, already preparing a spell to fire at a moment's notice. Ana flanked my other side. Though she hadn't drawn out her weapon, she was ready and always taking in our surrounds.

"Okay, look at me," I spoke to the man. "We're not here to hurt you. We're just passing through. Please, just let my friend go."

"I said drop all your weapons! Leave everything you have," the man didn't back down. We were well geared and armed and while he had decent armour, it couldn't compare to ours.

"Look, I get it. These are desperate times, but it doesn't mean we have to resort to violence. What's your name? My name's Ardent. If you need help, we can help you. But first, just let my friend go." I spoke calmly, trying to probe the man's intentions.

"I don't fucking care who you are!" he yelled. "Drop all your stuff now!"

"Ardent I'm in position", Shin's voice rang in my head. "Four targets closing in on your position."

"Four targets confirmed," Vanter responded. "Ready to fire."

I replied back in kind, "Hold your fire."

"I'm serious, I'll kill her!" the man screamed, finally drawing blood with the knife. My heart thumped. I had to make a decision. This wasn't like fighting Rift Walkers, beasts or monsters. This was a person with his own goals and reasons. Was he desperate and in need or a simple bandit? His eyes continued to flick about, watching warily.

My voice became stern, "I'll give you a chance. Drop the knife and we can help each other."

"Fuck your help!"

"Last chance or you and your friends outside will die."

A look of confusion crossed his face and for a moment the knife in his hand loosened.

"Fire," the single thought of command was relayed to the rest of the team. Immediately the man's head exploded as a high calibre round pierced through the wall beside him. Clara screamed in shock. At the same time the ones outside rushed in. An arrow split through one of their heads. Another was blasted by Aria and a third barely made it into the room before Ana had punched him into the wall. The last who had a moment to react tried to raise his gun but in an instant, he was shot by both bullet and arrow from outside.

"Clear," Shin spoke in my head. "Moving in."

I approached Clara who was looking at her hands, they were covered in the blood of the man who had just held her hostage. She shivered and turned to look at the mess we had caused. The contents of her breakfast spilt out as she vomited.