A Leader Must Rise - Old Version

Chapter 70

Here you are, folks. Only half edited but it's good enough for now. I'll update it at a later stage. Don't listen to the song until towards the end—I haven't marked for when, but it's obvious enough. Enjoy. I'll have the next chapter up soon.

Aria

The vibration soon turned to full on quakes, the sound of scrambling footsteps slowly being out volumed by the ferocious roars and ear piercing screeches. Not to mention the screaming of the idiotic souls fighting my boys. 'Once you rescue them and we take these tunnels, remind me to fucking kill them,' Seren seethed and I growled, 'Get in line.' 'You can have whatever is left of them,' Sapphire promised. Serenity agreed. I skidded to a halt as we came to the front hall, but it more like a loading bay. The floor of it was about half a kilometre wide, the walls had six storeys worth of tunnel levels and most it was in a shambles. 'We can't stay here long,' I said as I leaned over the forth storey, stone railing. People were fighting on different levels, Adalon and Butch in dragon form and on the floor, breathing fire onto oncoming enemies. If any got through the fire, they were killed with either tooth or claw. 'They're going to get themselves killed,' Andrew agreed. "Alder!" I yelled as Jagger's eagle screamed in pain, a harpoon pierced one of his legs.

He tried to pull away but he was being pulled towards the third storey. I leaned over further and seeing the tip of an automated harpoon gun over the railing. Adalon and Butch answered his screamed with a roar each, struggling to leave the ground themselves. Alder screeched for help, his eyes finding mine and I nodded, running over until I'm above them. 'This may hurt,' I warned Sapphire and Aiyana and they both growled, 'Bring it.' "Ari!" Ragnor yelled as I hopped onto the railing and ran a few more steps before launching myself into the air, aiming for the rope. Adalon and Butch roared as I caught it with my bare hands, skin burning as the rope scraped against my palms and fingers. 'Fuck, that shit hurts,' Aiyana snarled as I ignored the pain, removing one hand to pull one gun free and shoot three assholes before they could do anything. I bit back a cry as I swayed with Alder's movements, who was flying shakily.

The gun was still reeling the rope in which didn't help either of us either, but I managed to swing myself the last few feet and hop onto the railing. I did swear when my palms pressed to the stone as I lowered myself to the floor, examining the harpoon in better detail. It looked to be a smaller version of a whaling harpoon, enhanced with modern technology and a targeting system. 'What is this? Harpoons don't have this technology. Well, not that I'm aware of,' I said as I stopped Alder from being pulled in and gave him some slack. 'Usher said he was or one of the people, in charge of keeping track of sales. I wouldn't put it passed these bastard to create something like this,' Sapphire said and I growled. 'That's not a comforting thought, Saph,' Aiyana snarled. 'It also raises the question on what else have they created?' I said and both cringed at the very thought. 'Are you crazy?!' Jesse yelled and paused, 'What am I talking about? Of course you are.' 'You promised none of your usual heroics,' Abby said.

'I promised to be careful,' I retorted. 'Well, you're not doing a good job keeping your promise,' Liv replied. 'Girls,' Ash scolded and the girls huffed. 'Ari, you've got incoming. Five brain cells on either side of you,' Abby said and Addy laughed. 'Brain cells?' 'I'll tell you the story later,' Abby promised. 'Much later,' Andrew growled. 'Yes, can we focus?' Stavos muttered. 'Agreed,' I growled as I turned to my right. 'And speaking of, what the fucking hell are you three doing here!?' Aditi growled and Adalon growled, shrinking into his half form, this time he's more dragon than human. 'What do you think?!' Conner yelled as he helped Alder from midair. 'You should have called ahead, Conner,' I said as I pulled my gun and fired at the first three people I see. 'You should have called us the night Alec called you, we would have been there to leave with you,' Jagger replied as Alder screamed in pain, Adalon pulling the harpoon arrow free. 'Goddamn, that hurts!' 'Serves you right,' Aditi grumbled. 'Not the time, Addy,' I warned, 'and can I get a little help?' 'I'm coming, love,' Chase said and Adalon roared.