Shell

Chapter 15: Last of a Dying Breed

"Hey now, just because your one of the best counter guardians I've had doesn't mean you get to slack off while your on the job." Aratashi's voice rang in my head.

I groaned as I sat up.

"Yeah, yeah I'm gettin to it." I grumbled.

"This is gonna be a tough one, even for you. Should I send-"

"No!.. No sending in her would make things worse, well probably not but having her here means I can't use my best card."

"Alright, well be careful then. I want you to be the last Guardian I need."

"Don't worry you can count on me."

I looked at the hole in the wall that I was smacked through, I saw the hallway clearly with the only light being the sun shining through the entry way and few windows. I stood up and started to walk down the hall towards the direction Ray and Marcus went. I got to the corner when I saw Ray come from the other hallway. He had a hand to his head and had dark circles under his eyes but otherwise looked alright.

"Well dont you look like shit." I pointed out.

"No shit?" Ray replied sarcastically.

"They took Marcus...."

"So thats why I haven't heard him yet, its been a lot quieter now that I think about it. So when do we go save his ass."

"Soon as your ready to go. Being a spirit has its perks so I'm good to go."

"Ha, alright let me grab some gear, shouldn't take me long seeing as theres no one to care if I take anything now."

'Thats right' I thought to myself. The mist from before would have killed everyone in here if Caren hadn't dealt with them personally. Its a good thing Ray has been enhanced with a shell or else he'd probably be among those who suffocated. I spaced out for a bit thinking on how I'm gonna deal with Caren and Artemis when we go to get Marcus. Only a few weapons can match that sword of hers none of which I really want to use unless I absolutely have too, the daggers on the other hand I should be relatively safe from as long as I mind them even if Artemis is faster than I thought possible. A tap from the butt of a rifle to my knee brought me back.

"Lets get to it!" Ray said with renewed vigor.

I smiled and stood up.

"Alright lets do this." I replied.

-Marcus-

I woke with a start to find myself in a very fancy, dark room. I felt I wasn't noble enough to be staying in a room like this, it was kinda surreal.

'Am I in some kinda fancy ass hotel or some shit?' I thought to myself.

I made my way to the door to find it was locked.

"Dammit." I muttered.

I tried looking for a window in this big room, luckily they were just hidden behind some curtains. I looked out to see this was a hotel that I was on the top floor of, it must have been a travel stop because there were no other buildings in sight that I could see just hills that stretched the horizon.

'So maybe they didn't take me too far from base.'

I turned back and paced the room a bit before trying the door again. I reached for the handle but before my hand reached it the door creaked open. I instinctively jumped back into a defensive stance but for nothing as there was no one behind the door, just an empty hallway. I walked into the hallway and found it just as classy as the room with dark accents flowing down it.