The Program [COMPLETED]

Chapter Fifty-Three

Aiden, Zariah, Rania, Theo and Virgil were camped out along the outskirts of Abree City, waiting for news regarding Farley and the others from each of their designated cities. The city was locked down heavily by the Eskium soldiers, making it virtually impenetrable.

Well, almost.

The five soldiers had made it to Abree City only a few hours earlier, reaching the city without any problems from Orion. It seemed that the rest of the Programmers had also arrived in their cities without conflict, but Aiden was certain the peace wouldn't last. There was only just under an hour before Orion declared war and the Other Worlders attacked all of Creatan. Orion would do everything in his power to prevent the Programmers and the people from overthrowing him, just as Aiden would do everything in his power to stop him.

Aiden stood watch, peering along the horizon warily. The weather had improved little, dark, thick clouds painting the sky an ominous gray. Zariah, Virgil, Theo and Rania slept nearby, resting up as much as they could before entering a warzone. They were each adorned in heavy body armor, combat boots and dark clothing. Additionally, they were equipped with grenades, plenty of ammunition, a melee weapon and two guns. Aiden had chosen an assault rifle and a ten millimeter handgun to carry him through the events of the day, as well as a military sword. He'd been trained in sword fighting before by Alena, but had never really used the knowledge in any of his missions. However, this time, he figured that if he was going to challenge Orion, he'd need something to hold his own against the Eskium leader's fearsome blade. 

Aiden could see the city borders from where he sat, perched on a boulder, surveying the area. It was eerily quiet, with the exception of a few birds cawing in the late morning hour. According to Aiden's watch, It was just shy of twelve-hundred hours. It wouldn't be too much longer before the silence melted into the sound of gunfire and bombs, and bloodshed would stain what could have been just another regular day if it weren't for Xylem and the corruption he had brought to the Program.

The sound of footsteps and a gun cocking behind him made Aiden spin around, rifle raised. Relieved, he saw that it was Virgil and instantly relaxed. A crossbow was strapped to his back, along with a set of razor sharp arrows.

Virgil raised his hands. "It's me," he assured him. "Stand down, soldier."

"Sir, yes, sir," Aiden smirked. Virgil took a seat next to him in the frosty grass, returning his wide grin.

"Today's the day, huh?" his friend exhaled.

"Yup," Aiden responded, running his fingers through his untidy brown hair.

"Think we're gonna make it?"

"We better."

"Do I get Zariah if you die?"

"Go fuck yourself. You've already got Kerian."

Virgil laughed, and Aiden couldn't help but crack a smile. Despite their circumstances, Virgil never failed to lift his spirits. He was beyond thankful to have him as a lifelong friend.

"I could do with a smoke. Maybe a drink," remarked Virgil.

"You've never tried either of those things," Aiden pointed out.

"Yeah, but haven't you ever been curious? Live a little, brother. If we're gonna die, then I'd at least like to die knowing I smoked some kipp on the way out."

Aiden rolled his eyes. "That'll come later. The last thing we need is for you to be so out of it, you'd take an entire three clips to hit one Other Worlder."

"You have such little faith in me," Virgil scoffed. He gazed out into the horizon, his eyes flickering with indistinguishable emotion.

"Tired?" Aiden asked.