God Eater 3 (Complete Retelling)

Chapter 2: Shackled Hounds

    A young man on the ground amidst a broken city. Around him lie several dead AGEs, tears flowing from his face. As his cries echo through the city. A voice can be heard.

???: ...a... ...uca... ...Luca...

    The dream ends, and the man wakes up to find a familiar face in front of him. A man with grey-highlighted black hair wearing a black and orange jacket.

Luca: Hugo... Hey...

    Several years have passed... The two boys who became brothers by oath and bond, have grown into hardened fighters. Surviving battle after battle in hopes of seeing their golden dream become reality. However, their numbers have dwindled. Many of the children they once knew had died in battle.

Hugo: You okay? You looked like you were having a bad dream.
Luca: ...If only it were just a bad dream. Anyway, what's going on, is it about a job?
Hugo: Yeah, its in an area with thicker than usual ash concentration.

    Hugo gives a tired sigh as he explains the job. Luca then sits up from his metal plate of a bed and lets Hugo take a seat.

Hugo: Its only a matter of time until we either run out of the Bias Factor we need, or get eaten by Aragami. If we're unable to work, we're either killed by a firing squad, or used as Aragami bait.
Luca: Yeah? Well I say to hell with that.
Hugo: *smirk* That's right, we are are not going to die. For the sake of those who are gone, we'll keep going. We'll move forward with the strength and hopes our fallen comrades gave us. And one day, we'll grasp freedom. Not just for us, but for all AGEs.

    On Hugo's right wrist are the restraint collars issued to all AGEs, the ones on his wrist belonging to the dead. He stares at them, then stares at Luca. The two then silently nod as the guard opens their cell door and escorts them to their destination. In front of them lied a city filled with buildings almost completely melted by the ash. The brothers drop the large metal cases they carried. As they were about to have their shackles unlocked remotely, radio chatter from another unit in the field was picked up.

Bull 1: [This is Bull 1, does anyone copy?! We're surrounded by Aragami and we're low on supplies! SOMEONE PLEASE, HELP US !!]
Hugo: Another AGE team. How far are they?!
Guard: [Ignore them, they're already dead. Just focus on your own job.]
Luca: Then cut us loose already!
Guard: [I am now disengaging the restraints on Pennywort AGEs PW-01407 and PW-01408.]

    The Armlets begin to give off sparks of his electricity, then quickly dissipate as the restraints are unlocked and their arms freed.

Luca: *rubbing wrist* ...about time.
Guard: [Listen up, you mangy mutts. Your area of operation is limited and if you decide to do any "moonlighting", well, you know what happens.]
Hugo: Yeah... We know.

    The two give each other a nod and then, in direct defiance of their overseer, Hugo immediately calls the other team in need of help.

Hugo: Bull 1, this Hound 1, do you copy?
Bull 1: [H-Hugo! Is that you?!]
Hugo: Listen closely, there should be an old chapel near your position. Lead the Aragami there but DO NOT engage them. Luca and I will handle them.
Bull 1: [The old chapel, got it! We'll see you there! Bull 1, out!]
Guard: [What the hell do you think you're doing?!]
Luca: Our job is to kill Aragami, isn't it? And that's exactly what we plan to do.
Guard: [You two'll pay for this insubordination!]
Hugo: You ready, Luca?
Luca: I'll follow your lead, Hugo.
Hugo: Okay, lets go!

    They grab their cases and make a dash for the chapel. Inside, the Bulls find themselves cornered by large boar-like Aragami called Axe Raiders. The AGEs look high and low for Hugo and Luca, but they are nowhere in sight. The Axe Raiders begin to slowly walk towards their prey and before they are in striking distance, two metal cases fall from the ceiling. As the Bulls all look up, they see two black silhouettes quickly coming down from a chandelier and immediately killing two Aragami.

    Hugo, wielding a long sword. And Luca with his twins blades. Two Raiders charge at Luca, but he quickly slashes the legs of one and decapitates the other. He then walks up to the crippled Aragami and plunges his blade into its head. Hugo slashes one, then pushes onto the pommel of his God Arc to transform it into a shotgun and shoots another. As Hugo quickly catches his breath, another Raider pins him to the ground.

    Using his gun as a shield, Hugo tries to keep the Aragami from killing him. Luca quickly takes action by connecting his blades together, combining them into a long glaive. He then throws it at the Aragami, running it through and killing it. The battle was over, and Hugo and Luca were able to protect what was left of the Bulls.

Luca: Are you all okay?
Bull 1: Y-Yeah, we are now, thanks to you two.
Hugo: Hm, don't mention it.

    The Bulls make their way to the designated extraction zone, leaving their saviours behind to catch their breath. Luca looks with a small smile at the survivors walking away, his attention then turns to his opened right hand.

Luca: No matter what happens, *clenches hand* I'll never abandon anyone just to satisfy my own goal.
Hugo: Hehe, thinking about the scared little kid you used to be, it always amazes me when I hear you say something like that.
Luca: Its something you taught me, Hugo.

    With smiles on their faces, they each raise an arm and tap their Armlets together. Minutes later, Pennywort God Eaters come and escort the two back to the Port at gunpoint. What awaited them was punishment for disobedience.