Dusk was falling slowly over the abandoned warehouse, casting long, eerie shadows around Grim and Stanley, who had taken refuge behind the building after a grueling battle. The calm of the night contrasted strangely with the tension within the two outlaws. They were still covered in dust and scratches from their last altercation, their breathing ragged and their hands clutching their revolvers.
— “It’s too quiet, Grim…” Stanley murmured, peering into the darkness.
Grim, with a piercing gaze, nodded without answering. The silence had thickened, like a blanket of lead. Suddenly, the pounding of hooves echoed through the air, shattering the tranquility with the relentless regularity of a clock.
The two men exchanged a look.
— "Looks like we're going to have company..." Grim said with a smirk, although a flash of worry crossed his eyes.
On the horizon, a group of horsemen approached, their methodical progress betraying military discipline. They wore the uniform of the Convoy Protection Division, a special unit renowned for tracking down the most fearsome outlaws. And at their head was Leo Voss, a sharp-eyed man, an expert in strategy, known for his rapid actions and ruthless rigor. At his side, three deputies took up positions: Tommy, a colossus with an intimidating stature; Eloïse, fine and fast as an arrow; and El Búho, a scout with piercing eyes, silent as a shadow.
Leo Voss walked towards a survivor of the attack, a semi-conscious man lying near the warehouse, bloodied but alive.
— “Tell me who is responsible,” Leo ordered in a low but sharp voice.
The survivor, out of breath, raised a trembling finger with difficulty towards the warehouse.
— “It was… the Black Hawk… Grim Williams… and he… he is not alone. »
Leo gave an icy smile.
- " Perfect. »
---
Grim and Stanley's preparations
Behind the warehouse, Grim and Stanley had heard every word. Grim clenched his fists, his face hardening.
— “He knows our name, Grim, that means…”
— “…that we’re in their sights, yeah,” Grim finished with a bitter smile. “It’s not just anyone. They're going to come in force, and their leader seems smarter than the rest. But we still have one advantage: we know this place like the back of our hand. »They exchanged a look of understanding and slipped furtively into the warehouse. Grim looked around: the old stacked crates, the dilapidated pillars, the rusty metal walkways that overlooked the vast room. They would have to demonstrate cunning, speed, and exploit every corner of this known terrain to escape the clutches of Leo and his men.
---
The arrival of the Division
Outside, Leo distributed his orders calmly and precisely.
— “El Búho, take the back entrance. Eloise, stay left, Tommy, cover the right. As for me…”
He grabbed his rifle with a firm hand.
— “I take care of the main entrance. They won't get out of here without crossing our path. »
El Búho slipped into the shadows without a sound, like a nocturnal predator. Eloïse, armed with a sniper rifle, placed herself in an ideal position to cover her teammates. As for Tommy, he moved heavily, ready to demolish anything that stood in his way.
Grim, hidden in the darkness of the warehouse, watched their progress carefully. The oppressive silence reigned, broken only by the creaking of planks and the tense breathing of men.
— “Grim, what do we do?” » Stanley whispered, his eyes fixed on Tommy's towering shadow.
Grim nodded.
— “We’re waiting. We let them approach, and when they are close enough… we strike. »
---
The first confrontation
El Búho was the first to reach their position. Grim, hiding behind a pile of crates, watched the scout advance cautiously, his eyes piercing the darkness. When he was close enough, Grim waved to Stanley, and they both jumped.
El Búho reacted with disconcerting speed, narrowly avoiding Grim's blow, and responded with a dagger that he concealed in his sleeve. Stanley slipped behind him, grabbing him to throw him off balance, but El Búho freed himself in one fluid motion, rolling to the ground and drawing his weapon.
An intense exchange of blows ensued, Grim and Stanley linking attacks in a synchronized dance, but El Búho's agility made each blow difficult to place. Finally, Grim managed to deflect his guard and delivered a powerful blow that sent him collapsing against a pile of crates. El Búho, stunned, dropped his weapon."That's one down," Stanley murmured, breathless but satisfied.
---
Eloïse’s response
But they had barely finished when a metallic noise was heard: Eloïse, stationed a few meters from them, had already raised her rifle, aiming at them with deadly precision.
— “Don’t move, otherwise you’re dead,” she hissed, her eyes cold.
Without waiting another second, Grim dove to the side, dragging Stanley with him as a loud bang rang out, the projectile ricocheting off the metal wall. Grim rolled on the ground, grabbing a wooden plank for protection and looking for a break in Eloise's vigilance.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps was heard behind them. Tommy, the colossus, advanced, his imposing shadow blocking any escape.
Grim understood that they were caught in the crossfire. They were going to have to strike hard and fast.
---
Grim's strategy
Grim waved Stanley off, then got Tommy's attention by slipping into a dark corner of the room. As expected, Tommy followed him, moving heavily in his direction.
Stanley, for his part, took advantage of Eloïse's inattention to bypass her position, slipping silently behind her. Just as she was about to shoot Grim, Stanley jumped up and disarmed her, pinning her to the ground in a firm hold.
Eloise struggled violently, but Stanley, concentrated, managed to keep her on the ground. Meanwhile, Grim faced Tommy, dodging powerful blows but slow, waiting for the right moment to strike. When Tommy raised his arm for a killing blow, Grim took advantage of his opening and attacked him with a precise blow to the knee, causing him to collapse with a cry of pain.
It was then that Leo Vos appeared like a ghost, his steely gaze fixed on Grim.
The aura of mastery and control he exuded made him almost terrifying. Without a word, he moved forward, ready to do battle.
Grim and Leo faced each other, two tactical minds, each measuring the other with electric intensity.
-<< Leo Voss, huh? How far are you going to track us? >> Grim said defiantly.
Leo didn't answer, watching Grim like a hunter facing his prey.
- << I'll give you a chance, Grim.
Surrender now, and I promise you a quick death. >>
Grim laughed, a bitter, ironic laugh.
- << I don’t think so, no. Not today >>
And without another word, Leo attacked, his fist heading straight towards Grim,
Who narrowly dodged. The fight began, fast and brutal. Leo was methodical, calculating, his blows precise and relentless. Grim, on the other hand, played on his speed, dodging, evading, responding as soon as Leo showed a weakness.
The fight continued with increasing intensity, each seeking to gain an advantage. Leo, although stronger, seemed.
YOU ARE READING
THE LEGEND OF THE ARACHNID
AdventureThe Legend of the Arachnique delves into the epic tale of Grim Williams, a rebellious heir who becomes a legendary outlaw, forming a gang as fearsome as it is united. With his faithful companions, he challenges the Wild West, between daring heists...
