8 Losses (2/2)
Before he could react, he felt himself being pushed by a strong force! Like an enraged bull, Burdren used the last of his strength to resist his injuries and rammed into the captain,
pushing him out of the way! He didn't have the protection of the mists anymore!
”Old man!” Dante's knees dropped as he watched his old friend being impaled by a dozen of flesh spikes to save him, the smoke he amassed in his surroundings slowly being tinged red with fury.
As the monster slowly recalled his flesh, the frightful sight of a body riddled with holes came into view, and even in death, the brute refused to kneel.
...
”There's a commotion happening on the main gates.” A pair of figures said while sitting atop the Cathedral of Mists, one dressed in red while the other dressed white. Both of their attires proclaiming them as high-hanking members of their respective churches.
”It seems so; the aura resembles that of an A-rank mutant. Who's the deacon on duty today?” The one dressed in red asked, not bothering to hide his bored expression.
”My church's deacon on duty...? From what I can remember, Algreen is the one on duty today.” The other answered, his eyes closed in self-meditation.
”Huh, Lurmon is the one on my side. Are they already aware?”
”They should be, Dante is there as well, even if his abilities are not suited to killing, he should be able to hold the fort.”
”You sure are cold, old man. Didn't you raise him like a son? Now you don't even blink while you let him fight a grade A-mutant.” The red figure scoffed, looking at the other incredulously.
”All things are ordained by the Goddess. There's no need to worry.” The other one retorted, his face placid as a lake.
”Heh, I'll be leaving then. Should I pay a visit and help them on passing?” The figure in red said as he got up, his eyes never leaving the other man.
”Are you sure you have that much free time? It's almost night, we need to strengthen the barriers.” The other reminded, finally opening his eyes from meditation. Both of them stood there, one staring at the other.
”Hah! All that we got is time, old man. Even without me, you can strengthen the barriers by yourself, am I wrong?” He retorted lightly, his figure slowly merging with the shadows, only leaving his voice behind. ”It's been a long while since I exercised, my old bones need a little action.”
”You're a weird old man, leave the heavy lifting to the young. We're already past the time of fighting in the frontlines...” Realizing he was left alone, the figure gently sighed as he closed his eyes again, returning to meditation.
...
F**k, now we're doomed... Garett complained, half-accepting his impending fate.
After Burdren's death, the red smoke surrounding Dante started to churn, transforming in a dozen of chains that entwined and trapped the monstrosity.
But it wasn't enough, the sound of snapping chains reverberated through the air not long after, eventually, they all would snap!
”Open fire.” Dante's cold voice sounded, appearing very indifferent to all that happened. His hands continuously formed symbols that turning the surrounding mists into more chains.
Every single one of the Hunters did as they were told, not an ounce of grief was evident in their faces, they all stood their ground, not looking at the bodies of their companions.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A barrage of gunshots echoed, every single one imbued with the power of mists as they burned through the flesh of the mutant, slowing the creature's attempt at escaping.
”Are you okay, Garett?” Hilren approached him, as both of them didn't have a way of helping Dante's team. ”You should hide. Those chains will not hold the beast for long.”
”You knew him, right?” Garett asked, his voice sounding conformed. ”The mutant.”
”Yes, his name was Vellen. It's not unheard of cases where a team leaves, only to return as mutants. We still don't understand why it happens though.” The young knight answered, bitterness permeating his voice.
”May the Goddess bless him,” Garett muttered while slowly.
”What are we going to do, Captain? Our firepower is not enough to kill it! The flesh wounds keep regenerating!” One of the remaining Hunters asked while reloading his gun. ”And the night is almost here, we're dead if we stay locked outside the gates.”
”They should be almost here, do not worry.” The captain voiced, his eyes half closed. The continuous usage of his powers as taking a toll on him, he wouldn't be able to endure for long.
”You really are a joke, Dante. Were you expecting me?” A grave voice sounded from atop the walls, a voice even Garett was familiar with.
”Heh, I thought it was a B-rank, but it turned out to be an A-rank mutant. Why don't you finish him while he is restrained, Lurmon? We all want to go home.” Dante answered, not a sparkle of pride could be found in his voice.
”Tsc, you're no fun,” Lurmon said while scanning the battlefield, the road was damaged beyond recognition, and two corpsed could be seen on the Hunters side. Only then he realized the presence of Garett and Hilren on the edges of the battlefield. ”And what the hell are the two of you doing here? Do both of you have a death wish?”
He jumped from atop the wall, alighting near the pair...
”Let me end this and we'll talk kiddo.” Said Lurmon as he looked at Hilren's sorry figure.