A Way We Fight (Book 2 Of The A Way To Win Series)

Chapter 23: A Return

1 week later

Mari stretched before walking down the road again, the rest of the group not far behind at all, each keeping their own pace, avoiding any fights if possible. Zombies were rare to be seen but would most likely be found much more in cities due to population, though only a few hordes had been seen by Mari, she always was on guard, even if her weapon was sheathed.
Only a couple zombies would be seen either stumbling around or dead on the ground missing a couple of body parts giving a foul stench that if being around for too long, would make even the strongest stomach turn.
"Hey. I see someone. It doesn't look like a zombie." Diana whispered to Mari. They stopped dead in their tracks and scanned for the figure. They found it running and jumping at nonhuman speeds that looked like it was alongside the trees, disappearing and reappearing on the other side of it until it started to get closer. Mari pulled her weapon out, consisting of a bladed staff. The figure disappeared on the road within a yard in front of them and Zack's body was flung backward into a metal railing. Mari regretted turning back for even a second because she was flung through the air and landed on the hill behind the railing. She struggled to stab her blade into the ground to stop her from falling and when she did, she was far from the road. The hill was very steep and would take a long time to get back up even for the best climbers, only one person was in mind: Liz.
Back on the road, Diana was dodging attacks of a person they had never seen before and managed to counter one attack, causing the person to stumble. Liz was behind Diana, backing up every time Diana did. Zack came from behind the person and put him in a headlock befroe the person rolled across the ground and flung Zack away. Diana took this chance to attack and punched the person hard when he turned back to face her. His head turned to the side before he returned the punch harder and caused Diana to fall to her knees. She pulled a small knife out and drove it into the person's leg and kicked him to floor. She slowly stood and Liz did what she could to help her which wasn't much. Zack managed to get up again and helped her stand.
Mari was still stuck and if she let go of the weapon, she would tumble to her death. Her arms were getting tired and would eventually give out. She used a lot of her strength and eventually pulled herself up more and let her arms hang off the other side of the weapon. Mari cursed herself for being in this situation, her strength was only good for fighting, not climbing. She made a mental note to work on that skill.
Mari pulled out a knife and dug it into the Earth before using that to hold herself up. She then grabbed her weapon and put it on her back, pulling out another knife and digging it higher. She continued to do this until she was close enough to the top to pull herself up without them.
She tiredly vaulted the railing and Zack helped her stand straight. Liz was near Diana again and Mari felt relieved that Liz was safe. The person got up and in the blink of an eye, threw Zack over the edge of the hill. Mari began to jump but was stopped as she was slammed into the ground.
Mari kicked him off and he backed up.
"Who the hell are you!?" Mari yelled as Diana tried to see if she could find Zack from where she was.
"My name...is Xion. I have been sent by someone to kill you all. The person offered me an amazing award."
Mari hesitated to attack, help Diana or keep talking. Many outcomes flew through her head before Xion rushed at Mari but was stopped as she kicked him backwards on pure reaction.
Xion then switched his focus and grabbed Liz before stepping back and pulling the knife out of him and putting it to her throat. No one moved. "That's right...you better stop."
Then, something happened. Three people with cloaks over their heads rushed in. One in particular went right for Liz and snatched her out of Xion's grasp and immediately ran back to us, putting her in Mari's arms. Liz huggged Mari as did she.
The other hooded figures stopped by the first one's side.
He pointed for one of them to go to where Zack was and they nodded before he pointed for the other to stay. They pulled a steel staff out as the first one went toward Xion. He didn't react at the new person walking toward them at all. "Who are you supposed to be?" Xion asked.
The hooded figure didn't answer and Xion scoffed before running at him and attacking. The person dodged every attack and countered when he could. Xion was growing impatient quickly, giving the hooded figure an edge on the fight. He landed a hard punch on Xion in the gut and slammed him into the ground. Xion grunted and flung the figure off of him. He hit the ground and one of the other figures looked like he or she was about to move, according to Mari.
The person got up and landed a kick in Xion's gut, utterly breaking 2 ribs. Xion coughed blood to the side and got hit in the face. The person walked to them and kicked them in the face before stepping on their neck.
"I expect you to tell your 'boss' not to mess with us, that is if you're able to come back to life." The person said before crushing the neck.
The hooded figure walked back to the rest of the group there and took off his helmet, wrapping everyone he could in a hug, "Glad to see us?" Tyr asked.
"H-how...are you here?"
"We...negotiated."
"Jesus...we've missed you." Mari said.
"I know you have...Jisu cried when we first arrived so I had to do something sooner or later..." Tyr replied, looking at Jisu.
"I-I did..."
"Where were you?" Diana asked.
"We...can't tell you that. I don't think it's a good idea to have people after us that we can't handle." Tyr said.
"Oh...then who's that?" Diana pointed.
"Oh, that's Lilly. The newest addition to our group." Tyr responded. Lilly removed her hood hesitantly and introduced herself as I went to Mari who was looking over the edge.
"I'm sorry about Zack...I'm sorry we weren't quick enough..." Tyr said.
"It's not your fault. L-let's go before we feel too sorry." Mari slightly smiled and faced Tyr.
Tyr felt Jisu grab his hand and everyone began heading where they were originally faced.