7 Mutants (2/2)

”May the Goddess provide for them.” Garett echoed while glancing at Hilren, the young man's face grave; his hand grasping tightly the Eternal Judge symbol.

”Did you know someone from that expedition team?” Garett asked as he noticed the Executor's unusual countenance.

”Yes, a friend who went to the academy with me. This was his first expedition...” He answered, his voice firm in order to hide his emotions.

”Steel yourself, kid. This is the life of the Marked, we fight death and corruption on a daily basis, and if we don't end up dead, we end up mad.” Dante said sternly, as a senior lecturing a junior. His eyes never leaving the path outside.

And then the silence outside was broken by the sound of limp steps, every guard on duty raised their guns while aiming in the direction of the road's turn; waiting for visual on whatever was the source of the noise.

”Hold!” Dante ordered in a loud voice, his fist raised above his head while the frown on his face deepened.

On the distance, a human figure slowly emerged from the mists; with muddy clothes and shreds in various places, the figure limped while approaching the city walls.

”Hold!” He repeated the order once more, and after making sure everyone obeyed, he cautiously treated closer to the figure.

The figure turned out to be an old man, his eyes without any luster and with deep cuts covering his skin. The man seemed more dead than alive, his mouth mumbling unintelligible noises.

”H-He is coming, p-pl-please! Save me! He is not human anymore!” The man said as he collapsed, his eyes still open but his consciousness fading.

Dante's eyebrows visibly lifted, he then lowered his hands and drew his revolver.

”Take aim!” He bellowed, also lifting his gun in the direction the old man came. ”Carry the old man in, and close the gates.”

Two strong-looking guards came from the gate's sides, lifting the old man from the ground and carrying him to a side door leading to the insides of the wall.

The sound of steps could again be heard, this time they were firm and steady, and Garett could clearly feel alarm sounds ringing from the insides of his head; every bit of his instincts telling him to leave!

I shouldn't be here! This is a place for trained soldiers! I'm not a warrior... Garett took a couple of steps back, his legs trembling with the pressure!

”Stand still, lad. It's too late now.” He then heard Captain Dante's voice, he sounded calm; as if everything was just a common occurrence. ”All Hunters on duty, forward!”

As the gates closed in, a few people started to take positions near them; five people, to be more precise.

”I told you, boy. You'll only get yourself killed by continuing here.” Burdren's large figured could be seen among them, with his rifle on hand and a cigar on his mouth.

Hilren took a position at the back, fully aware that he wouldn't be of any help in a fight while unarmed.

The steps slowly got closer, the figure of a young man wearing Executor's vests appearing with it; his red hair mixed itself with the afternoon sun, and a smile could be seen forming on the edges of his lips.

”Vellen!” Hilren's surprised voice cut through the air; relief and unrest melding in one as he took a step forward.

”Stand your ground, Executor! This area is under my jurisdiction.” Dante spat, his countenance aggravating while looking at the new arrival. ”You don't seem to be accompanied, where are the remaining expedition team members?”

”Dead, probably.” Said 'Vellen' as he shrugged, his eyes analyzing the team of Hunters.

This guy is dangerous! My intuition is telling me to run as fast as I can! But Dante said it was already too late... Cursing his luck under his breath, Garett focused and stealthily materialized a knife hidden on the insides of his clothes.

”Probably?” Dante questioned the weird choice of words.

”Yes, probably. They entered mommy's best after all... It would be surprising if they came back alive.” 'Vellen' smirked disgustingly, his eyes stopping on Hilren for a second before focusing on Garett.

”The Hunters are really getting weaker as time passes, even a weakling such as this can become part of it?” He laughed wickedly, only stopping after a few seconds. ”Now it's your time to die... Probably.”

As he said that, the skin on his body started to move! The sound of snapping bones echoed as his build increased and noticeably grew to become even taller than Burdren!

IHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!

”FIRE!” Captain Dante's voice sounded, and as such the hellish battle began.