Close Combats

Close Combats: Chapter 3

Sven shielded Stephen from the incoming attack from Ella. "Sven!" Ella hissed to her surprise. "Stop! You might kill Anthony!" Ella put more force, obviously knowing about the lie. Sven struggled to push her sword away, He can't dodge or He'll die, or Ella. Ella kicked him on the leg, as he dropped to the floor at the same time Dismantling of his weapon. Ella grabbed Sven by the neck and tackled him to the wall, hand still on his neck. Ella raised Sven off the ground, about 3 inches. Sven was now choking, and his breathing is labored.

"Who is he?!" Ella spat angrily. Sven kept silent and stared at Ella with pleading eyes. Ella responded with a small growl. "I am going to cut you if you do not tell me!" She grabbed a dagger, using her free hand and put the dagger near his face. "Stephen Quarry." Stephen spoke, loud yet clear. "Quarry?" Ella asked and dropped Sven gently, removing her grip as well. Sven breathed in heavily and kept panting for a while. Stephen nodded in response. "Your the last brother of Anthony. Anthony Quarry." Stephen nodded in agreement. "Anthony has a brother? And his brother is a yellow? Aren't they suppose to be on the same group?" Sven asked. "It's hard to explain." Ella gave a tell-you-later look at Sven.

Anthony came to the gate, the sword in his hands. He saw Ella and Sven, but not Stephen. "Sven! Ella! I killed the yellow commander and got his sword! I had to be a guy named Stephen!" Anthony panicked, his sweat pouring down swiftly. Stephen's eyes widened and gave a clear yell, "What did you say?!" Anthony looked at Stephen automatically as Stephen charged at him. Stephen punched Anthony's face, and Anthony retaliated with a kick to the gut. "Anthony! Stephen! Stop." Sven called form afar. "Sven, you can't stop a sibling rivalry." Ella sighed. Anthony and Stephen came to a stop. Confusion was seen on their faces. "Anthony? My brother? I... Am so sorry." Stephen apologized. "Me too, Stephen." Anthony sympathized.

Ella saw the sword that Anthony held and quickly snatched it. "So... You got this from the commander, right?" Anthony looked at Ella and nodded. "Then... This is Luxori." Ella explained and inspected it more. Anthony looked at his clothes. "I'll just change my clothes..." Anthony trailed of and walked around the corner where he left his Blue-colored clothes. And everyone waited silently.

"I still don't get it. How are Stephen and Anthony brothers?" Sven broke the silence. "Simply we were born in the same family." Stephen calmly said, looking at the ground. Ella was still inspecting the sword and Sven just played with the dog tag on his fingers.

Anthony finished changing and showed himself to the group, on his blue uniform. "Finally better." Anthony was still checking his clothes. "Sven. Come with me. I have something to tell you." Ella held Sven's hand as he blushed a little and obediently followed Ella. "Anthony and Stephen, please take guard." Ella looked back and smiled at the brothers as Sven and Ella left.

Anthony kept looking beyond the gate, Stephen was looking around. "That was quick." Stephen gave a small laugh. "What was?" Anthony questioned. "Sven and Ella, dating. Didn't notice?" Anthony shook his head. "Man you are clu-" Stephen was cut by a a throwing knife passing near him and hits a wall. At a distance, Mira was seen. She looked at the brothers, obviously shocked that there are two of them. "Who is Stephen?" Mira demanded an answer. Stephen grabbed the throwing knife and hurled it at her. Mira outstandingly grabbed her sword from her side and blocked the knife in time. "She is fast..." Anthony softly said, surprised. Stephen kept calm and grabbed his dagger. "Last chance. Give up or both of you die." Ella gave the ultimatum. Anthony stepped forward. "Din't kill my brother... No matter what." Anthony softly said. "Deal." Mira sheathed her sword. Stephen saw the opportunity and threw his dagger at Mira, hitting her hip. Anthony backed off, to no avail. Mira removed the dagger and looked angrily at Anthony and threw it at him. The dagger struck Anthony at his leg, disabling him from movement from his spot. He fell down, butt first. Mira was holding on the bleeding, with one of her hands and the other having a sword. "I will be back, Stephen! I hate you, backstabber!" Mira limped off, as Stephen rushed to Anthony.

Anthony took off the dagger and threw it aside. Stephen ripped a portion of his clothes and made a makeshift bandage for Anthony. Stephen carefully put Anthony on his back, as Anthony gave a small howl of pain. Stephen carried Anthony to the base.

Stephen looked left at right where Sven and Ella might be, but he still surged forward to the headquarters. "Sven?! Ella?!" Stephen called out loud while walking. "Stay strong, brother." Stephen pleaded as Anthony gave a weak nod. Stephen entered the headquarters and saw a man who he thought was a medic. "Hey you! Are you a medic?" The man nodded uneasily. The man looked behind Stephen and saw Anthony. The man silently went nearer to Anthony and help him to the floor, where he is lying down and hastily unwrapped the bandage. "This might take some time... You can wait outside." Stephen nodded and looked at who are still alive. He saw Mira's picture has darkened, and he sighed in relief. "50 left, be safe, for the both of us." Stephen looked at Anthony another time and walked out of the Blue headquarters.